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Botham feels Fletcher will be ideal coach

Former England captain and all-rounder Ian Botham today backed Duncan Fletcher to be the new England coach, because he felt Fletcher would be the one who could ''give certain people a kick up the backside".

Botham believes that is exactly what is needed if England are to repair their damaged reputation in the wake of their embarrassingly early exit from the World Cup.

The England legend, who has been appointed as an ''observer'' by chairman of selectors David Graveney, reckons Zimbabwean-born Glamorgan coach Fletcher has the ideal credentials ahead of the other three leading candidates.

Fletcher will be interviewed tomorrow by the working party of the England management advisory committee, along with Leicestershire's Jack Birkenshaw, Dave Whatmore of Lancashire and Bob Woolmer.

''Fletcher's the guy I would go for,'' saids Botham, who will now combine his advisory role with that of his commentating duties for Sky TV.

''Duncan would come in with no preconceived ideas of the England camp and with no baggage, make decisions, and he might upset a few people because he is that type of person," Botham opined.

''He is tough, he doesn't given an inch and he doesn't expect an inch. That's what it's all about. We need to get tougher in the ranks.

''There are a those who might not welcome Duncan Fletcher because he might give certain people a hick up the backside - and that's what's needed,'' he told radio 5 live.

UNI