Mascarenhas keen on Fletcher return

Dimitri Mascarenhas is keen for Duncan Fletcher to return given his success with Hampshire this season

Buy this photo

Hampshire skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas wants former England coach Duncan Fletcher to return to the Rose Bowl next year after his spell in September as a consultant.

Fletcher worked with Hampshire in pre-season and his latest three-week period with the county culminated with the Friends Provident Trophy victory after defeating Sussex at Lord's.

"I hope he is back next year," Mascarenhas said. "He leaves on Wednesday but he comes back in September for another few weeks. He will be on the phone between then and has made himself available to everybody."

Mascarenhas has felt a difference with the help of Fletcher, who helped England regain the Ashes in 2005.

"He's been brilliant," he added. "I wasn't here for pre-season but the reports back were that the lads really enjoyed working with him.

"He was laid back and they loved what he brought to the table.

"For the three weeks he has been here now when I've worked with him, I've got a lot from him.

"He's been a great asset to our team and our club. He has a wealth of knowledge and different ideas. Everyone knows how good he is as a batting coach and he has helped our batsmen a lot and has helped our fielders, especially in the inner ring and slips.

"Personally, I talked to him a lot about captaincy and tactics. He's worked with Michael Vaughan who is one of the best captains England has ever had. I've picked his brain."

The six-wicket win over Sussex was set up by 37-year-old Dominic Cork taking three early wickets, including the scalp of England wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

Cork, who was released by Lancashire in the winter, has another year left on contract and has no plans on hanging up his boots.

"I'm still enjoying it and Dimi still picks me, and that is the main thing," Cork said.

While Andrew Flintoff has suffered consistently with fitness problems, Cork feels there is nothing specific he does differently to keep going.

He added: "You have to work on what is right for you. I've never been a lifting-weights person. I just like to stay as fit as possible."