Duncan Fletcher's lofty goal for 2007
I was reminded recently of Duncan Fletcher's goal for England to become the foremost cricketing power in the world by the year 2007. A year ago, it was ambitious but plausible. Leading into the Ashes, England had won 11 out of 13 Tests with two draws. Then way ahead of schedule even for their own goals (they initially had hoped just to compete), they won back the Ashes from the #1 ranked team in the world. Things were looking rosy and the downward slide of Australia seemed to have met the upward climb of England much earlier than anyone had anticipated.
Since then, things have gone pear shaped for England. They lost a Test series in Pakistan, drew in India (while being thrashed 5-1 in the ODI series) and drew with Sri Lanka at home (not to mention losing 5-nil in the subsequent ODI series). Sure, they beat Pakistan 3-nil at home although they were on track to lose the 3rd Test until Darrel Hair pulled his ball tampering stunt. Meanwhile, Australia have gone on a clean-sweep rampage, defeating everyone in their path on a quest to find Ashes redemption. The gap between Australia and England's Test rankings have widened while in one day cricket, England are ranked 8th with only Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Kenya below them.
So things are not quite on track for Duncan Fletcher. He may have to downgrade his original 2007 goal from achieving #1 ranking to merely keeping his job after the World Cup.
| Posted by JC on Mon 1 Jan |  3 comments |
Hi John.
Happy New Year.
Menacingly as they play Aussies have deservedly won back the Ashes, kudos.
Anyway I am still laughing off at the comment of Fletcher that "This is not our worst defeat"
I think the statement which can soon be heard would be read as "Yes! this is our worst defeat"
By the way Aussies tend to lose the last test.
Weather not being a thorn in the flesh, will Aussies make it 5 - Nil ....?
Posted by Tarun on 2007-01-01 20:47:51
Happy New Year.
Menacingly as they play Aussies have deservedly won back the Ashes, kudos.
Anyway I am still laughing off at the comment of Fletcher that "This is not our worst defeat"
I think the statement which can soon be heard would be read as "Yes! this is our worst defeat"
By the way Aussies tend to lose the last test.
Weather not being a thorn in the flesh, will Aussies make it 5 - Nil ....?
Posted by Tarun on 2007-01-01 20:47:51
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