Thaindian News

London, July 14 (IANS) For India’s cricket coach Duncan Fletcher it feels strange to be back in England, which he once coached, to plot their downfall.

Fletcher, who was in charge of England from 1999 to 2007, was appointed the Indian coach earlier this year.

“It’s strange for me. I never thought I’d be back in this role. When I left England I thought I wouldn’t get (back) involved with cricket. But having worked (as a consultant) with South Africa, New Zealand a bit and Hampshire to some degree - I sort of got the bug again,” Fletcher was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“It does seem a little bit strange coming over here. But I have enjoyed working with India, who I think had quite a good tour of West Indies. It’s going to be an exciting series. To be involved with a top side and in an exciting series is quite a challenge,” he said.

During his tenure as the England coach, Fletcher had worked with some of the members of the current crop, notably captain Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen and pace spearhead James Anderson.

“The team has changed quite a lot. There are a couple of senior players that I know something about but the rest of the team has changed. We’ll have to look at the tapes, look at the techniques that certain players have got, we’ll have to assess that over the next couple of days,” he said.

Asked if he thought England are a better side now, Fletcher said: “It’s difficult to assess what is a better side - or (what is) the best side in the world. If you want to look at the statistics, then you’d have to say India are (the best side in the world). England have definitely improved under Straussy and Andy Flower. They have done a really good job getting that side back on track.”