Credit for India’s formidable pace attack should go to Duncan Fletcher, believes Nick Compton

Credit for India’s formidable pace attack should go to Duncan Fletcher, believes Nick Compton

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English cricketer Nick Compton has stated that Duncan Fletcher has played a major role in shaping the current Indian pace attack and should be credited for his work. Compton has added that the former Zimbabwean cricketer should be praised for handling the toughest transition phase in Indian cricket.

Fletcher was appointed coach of the Indian national cricket team in 2011 after being recommended by the previous World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten. Under Fletcher’s coaching, India achieved eight series victory in a row in 2013 including the Champions Trophy. His contract ended after the 2015 World Cup in Australia where India lost the semi-finals against the hosts. With India’s dominance in world cricket over the past few years, Compton felt that Fletcher played a major role in building the team during the transition phase.

Indian pacer’s once again came into limelight after picking 19 out of 20 wickets at Trent Bridge where India beat England by 203 runs in the ongoing series. Speaking of which, Compton said that the current lot (Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar) have benefited from the inputs of Fletcher and such a performance is the result of his hard work.

“India’s pace attack hasn’t come together all of a sudden. It has taken time and it has happened one by one, as all of these bowlers took their time coming off age. Most of them, at some point, have played under Fletcher, so it is a credit to him. This process of building a pace attack started long ago and it has come together for India now,” Compton said.

When asked the difference between the Indian attacks that have travelled to England over the years and the current lot, Compton said the current lot do not compromise on pace just like the English pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

“The difference is that these bowlers do not compromise on pace. Like James Anderson and Stuart Broad, they retain the ability to move the ball at pace. Pace is the keyword. You have to consider why the likes of Anderson and Broad have been so successful in their careers,” he added.

Despite India staging a comeback in the third Test, Compton felt that it would be extremely tough for the visitors to win the series.

“I don’t think England are out of the series just yet and winning three Tests on the bounce here is very tough for any visiting side. There will be some good, competitive cricket in the remaining matches, but I don’t see India winning the series,” Compton concluded.

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