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Martin Gough

Lara upstages Fletcher departure

Martin GoughBarbados - That was more like it! The way in which West Indies great Brian Lara announced his retirement was a complete contrast to England coach Duncan Fletcher’s resignation earlier the same day.

A tired, irritable Lara had already faced more than 10 minutes of questions, continually being probed on the off-field problems that have beset the side through the World Cup and on his own future, with a tour to England imminent.

There was just one last question, which was not as testing as some that had preceded it but it proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

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Martin Gough

Fletcher absent for final act

Martin GoughBarbados - Duncan Fletcher has never been the most media-friendly of England coaches so it was little surprise that he did not attend his own resignation.

Instead it was down to two of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s top “suits” to do the deed, with ECB chairman David Morgan flanked by director of cricket operations John Carr to furnish the details.

Of course, by the time the massed ranks of the media moved from the baking heat of Barbados to an air-conditioned yet anonymous ballroom at the Hilton hotel, all knew that Fletcher was to stand down.

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