England have strong foundation

Coach Duncan Fletcher toasts England's World Cup win over West Indies © Getty Images

Duncan Fletcher ended his eight-year reign as England coach by claiming the foundations are there to build a successful side at the top level.

The 58-year-old Zimbabwean ended his term in office with a nail-biting one wicket win over West Indies to at least end a dismal World Cup campaign on a high.

Fletcher, having decided to resign midway through the tournament, will be succeeded by academy director Peter Moores, who takes over for the Test series against West Indies starting at Lord’s on May 17.

But as he prepares for a life away from England, Fletcher is convinced the building blocks are in place for Moores to take the team forward.

“I think the foundations are there,” said Fletcher. “If you look around we are the youngest side in the world in Test cricket not only in caps and ages, but also in inexperience.

“We’ve shown the way we can play on occasions, we just haven’t put it together on a consistent basis. The foundations are there, but I think it might take a little bit longer.

“I have said previously that this World Cup was a bit early for them and it could take up to a year, but who knows?

“They could suddenly put it together in six months, but I would still be a little bit patient with them because they’ve got a bit of learning to do.”

Paul Nixon carries England to a thrilling one-wicket victory over West Indies in Barbados

Fletcher confirmed he had decided to resign mid-way through the group stages of the tournament and informed John Carr, the ECB's director of cricket operations, shortly before they faced Bangladesh in Barbados nearly a fortnight ago.

He offered to help see England through the summer, but the ECB instead acted swiftly to appoint former Sussex coach Moores as his successor.

“I’d made up my mind early on the qualifying stages that I wanted to finish at the end of the World Cup,” said Fletcher. “I wanted to go for personal reasons.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do after that, it was really up to the ECB to decide what they wanted to do.

“I enjoyed the job and I still thought I had other things to offer, but I’m sure there will be other things out there.

“I need a break for a month or so and then I’m sure my wife will be trying to kick me out of the house.”

England and West Indies, meanwhile, were fined for maintaining a slow over-rate.

Match referee Ranjan Madugalle imposed the fines after Michael Vaughan's side were ruled to be two overs short and Brian Lara’s side one over short of their targets at the scheduled finish when time allowances were taken into consideration.

Vaughan was fined 20 per cent of his match fee while his players each received 10 per cent fines.

Lara was fined 10 per cent of his match fee while his players received five per cent fines.