The Plan: How Fletcher and Flower Transformed English Cricket

by Steve James

In 1999, England slumped to a new low in their long and tumultuous cricket history. Defeat in a home series at the hands of a mediocre New Zealand team saw them fall to the bottom of the world Test rankings. Yet just over a decade later, England had reached the top. It has been a remarkable and profound transformation, brought about largely by two men with an insatiable desire to succeed, Duncan Fletcher and Andy Flower. In The Plan , Steve James tells the story of the renaissance of English cricket from a unique perspective. As the former batting partner of ECB managing director Hugh Morris, a player under Fletcher at Glamorgan and Flower's closest confidant in the press corps, James is able to both relate and analyse the reasons behind the rise. From crucial choices of captain to innovative coaching and a complete overhaul of training and preparation for matches, it is the tale of a refusal to be second best. And in examining Fletcher and Flower's background in Zimbabwe, where James himself played, he uncovers the continental shift behind the turnaround. It is the story of how English steel has been melded with African fire to create the most potent combination in world cricket.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 24, 2012

Reviews

[E.T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different cricket book from what I have read so far, it didnt have any descriptions of matches that were played. Instead it stuck to its focus, the role of the 2 coaches (and support staff) in taking English cricket from its lowest ebb in 1999-2000 to 2011-12 when it became no. 1 in test cricket.
The first half on Duncan Fletcher (2000-2007) was pretty well-written, especially since the author has played under Fletcher in his county and also ghosted Fletcher's autobiography. His respect for Fletcher's dedication and technical knowledge and strategies rub on to u.
For Flower (2009-2012) too, the book was good with an interlude on Moores. The author has described the backgrounds of the coaches and also the workings of the English Cricket board and press etc very well.
Have read John Wright's Indian Summers earlier but it was quite a surface breezy read. I think along with Talking Cricket: The Game's Greats in Conversation with ESPNCRICINFO, this book is one of the few that tries to talk of technical details in some depth.

[David Wyatt-Hupton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb insight into how England turned things around. If you're a cricket fan, this is an absolute must read. It goes into the years 1999-2012 basically. Taking a look at the problems with the foundations of cricket in this country, as well as how Fletcher and Flower turned it around. From focusing on player power (Flintoff and Harmison) to the togetherness of the 2011 team. It chronicles the climb to being the #1 ranked test team in the world. I loved it.

[Craig Hatton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pros: highly detailed insight into the reigns of Fletch and Flower (with a minor interlude of Moores). Doesn’t get too bogged down in detail of matches or technical matters. Keeps to the premise of a ‘behind the scenes’ look at what happened.

Cons: sometimes it became a bit more about the other than the subjects of the book (which is fair given he was coached by Fletcher and played with Flower

Overall an excellent, quick read with a lot of previously unknown bits