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Former coach takes aim at Botham's 'unbelievable' views
Fletcher blasts Botham's influence
Cricinfo staff
October 30, 2007
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Duncan Fletcher on Ian Botham: 'He thinks the players listen to him, but they do not'
© Martin Williamson
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Ian Botham had an unhealthy influence on Andrew Flintoff and has long caused difficulties in the England set-up, according to England's former coach Duncan Fletcher in the latest extract of his autobiography, Behind the Shades.
"It did worry me that Botham influenced Andrew Flintoff far too much on that [2006-07] Ashes tour," Fletcher wrote. Although the pair are good friends - Botham has long been a hero of Flintoff - Fletcher said that other members of the England side don't hold him in the same high regard.
"He thinks the players listen to him, but they do not," Fletcher said. "Often you would go into the dressing-room and hear the players in exasperation saying things like: 'Have you heard what Botham is saying about the wicket?' Botham's commentary has long caused problems."
After England's match against Canada in the World Cup, England were invited by Rod Bransgrove - the Hampshire chairman - onto his boat for a party. "In the dressing room...Kevin Pietersen, who knows Bransgrove well from Hampshire, was asking the other players who was going on the boat," Fletcher wrote. "At least four or five of the senior players asked: 'Is Botham going?'
"Pietersen found out Botham was indeed going and, when he relayed this in the dressing-room, a unanimous call of 'no thanks' rang out. None of the players went. For once they were standing up to someone in the media."
Fletcher and Botham's relationship "deteriorated over time", and tensions between the pair were constantly kindled by Botham's "unbelievable" views. "Back in 2004 in Jamaica, Sky called a meeting with Michael Vaughan and me, intended to improve the relationship between the broadcasters and the team," Fletcher wrote. "Present at a restaurant, owned by a relation of Michael Holding, were Holding himself, executive producer Barney Francis and David Lloyd.
"It was interesting that Botham was not there because most of the conversation centred around him as he appeared the one obstacle to improving the relationship. Some critics said he was inconsistent in his thoughts and did not do enough investigative work before a day's commentary."
© Cricinfo
 Read Comments (17)
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Comments have now been closed for this article
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As an England cricket fan living in Australia I find all this passing the blame quite ridiculous!!.As hard as it is to say, we lost the ASHES not because of Freddies leadership or antics, but we were beaten by a team still smarting from an ASHES loss, after dominating England for so long it hurt Australia deeply, so they set about getting the URN back.
The world cup? I would hazard a guess that Englands boys were not the only ones partying during that very ordinary tournament (lord knows it needed some spark).
Duncan Fletcher has written a book,earth shattering it is not (he is no Dickens),Botham a bad influence probably not, outspoken yes and that would grate on D.F. I'm sure, but get a grip, Freddie is still a great player to say he is not a team player is just plain dumb. Sounds like sour grapes from D.F. and that is all.(P.S. Mr Graveney please give Straussy another chance my son is mortified!).
Posted by Burto on November 02 2007, 09:56 AM GMT
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Alastair Cook got it right when he said that its just a book,thats all the importance you can attach to an episode as sleazy as this.If Duncan Fletcher did indeed have so much of a gripe about Freddie leading the team into disaster during the Ashes why did he not raise it with the ECB instead of waiting for a year to package it as a sensational story.
Paul Nixon is right,Flintoff the fierce competitor took the Ashes whitewash personally,its hard to hold oneself up during an arduous tour like that and cricketers are afterall human and can react in different ways when faced with relentless humiliation. Former players' influence on the cricketers minds and their attitudes is again a red herring.Ian Botham can always be avoided as an old player with a limited perspective of present day cricket.It is not possible that he or a disgruntled and greedy Duncan Fltcher can hold the keys to the destiny of English cricket.The players are doing the right thing by sticking together and looking ahead
Posted by Vijay-Chakravarthy on November 02 2007, 08:48 AM GMT
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I am an Indian..however i love English cricket and the only reason is Andrew Flintoff...i mean,the passion and commitment he displays whilst playing for his country is something you can only rave about...questioning his commitment towards the game would be a crime...what he does with his personal life has nothing to do with his cricket..all that matters is that he gives it all or more on the field..is there anybody else who does it better than flintoff?? Duncan Fletcher is only trying to gain all his lost attention and popularity...Flintoff, you rock!!!
Posted by abhay007 on November 02 2007, 08:05 AM GMT
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Another quick point! If Freddie is this awful influence or bad cricketer why is he the only feared player on the England Side??? Seems to me over the last 2-3 years every series where Fred was not out the oppossing Team Capt. always commented on it, snd how it was an advantage to their side??? Yes I am an Andrew Flintoff fan, actually watching Freddie play against India in 05 was what brought me into this great sport, and when I see English people knocking him it just dumbfounds me, the man has given his all to play for you, multiple operations on the same ankle to try and get back out there!!! and seriously folks I doubt he needs the match fee money. The Team be it in Test or ODI format has a totally different positive confidence about them when Freddie is in the side. Andrew is only human, just like you and me, and deserves and has earned our support and respect!!!
Posted by Garp on November 01 2007, 05:09 AM GMT
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Flintoff is a super cricketer. He is enjoy his game and wanted to win every single game he plays. Whoever having problems in a team, coach should motivate them when he is couching them rather year later.
Posted by RAM1970 on October 31 2007, 21:25 PM GMT
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The role of former players in the life of current ones is complex, as is the role of former / retired members of a board of directors in the life of the current board or former cabinet ministers in the work of the current government; indeed the role of "former" people generally in the life and work of current practicioners. The experience of retired people is hugely valuable and must be treasured, but they, for their part, must present their contribution with appropriate humility, realising that whilst their GENERIC experince is vast, their SPECIFIC experience of current scenarios is poor. Not everyone has the mindset to migrate from great practicioner to great mentor / adviser; it is unsurprising that great coaches in all sports tend to have been competent, rather than outstanding players in their day; it must be very hard, when the world once beat a track to your door to worship, to adapt to an out-of-the-limelight role. Botham seems to be one of the many who cannot so do.
Posted by mcheckley on October 31 2007, 20:28 PM GMT
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Duncan Fletcher brought steel, resolve and purpose to the England team. He did a similar job at Western Province. Ian Botham is a boring commentator, lacking insight and often conveying his boredom, which is most annoying as a viewer. It is highly likely that he interfered negatively with the team and interfered with the coach.
Posted by Bubaloo on October 31 2007, 17:08 PM GMT
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Duncan Fletcher has always been the problem with English cricket. Why he has survived there so long is an outstanding mystery. He is now trying to past the buck the his great nemesis for all that he did wrong. Botham may not be the interesting as a commentator, but he is a genius of the game and knowledge is power and should not be discarded.
Take Dean Jones for example, he was interesting both as a player and a commentator, however he said something and is now gone. Can't have it both ways, my preference is always bet on experience.
Posted by WestIndiesCricket.ORG on October 31 2007, 14:39 PM GMT
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Aatleast people have cum to know what cost them the ashes tour, world cup. i bet once freddie retires he will also cum up with his book critisizing his team mates and coaches and wot wen wrong wen and y, that happens all the time so wots the fuss
Posted by pakistanicricketlover on October 31 2007, 13:02 PM GMT
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Ian Botham is at best, OK as a commentator but any personal issues that existed between him and Fletcher and maybe a few members of the team are largely insignificant. If Fletcher is looking for excuses for the recent shambles in Australia, he can surely do better than this. It's a bit harsh to point fingers at broadcasters!
Posted by Vynny on October 31 2007, 12:51 PM GMT
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