Fletcher decision delights board

Fletcher has transformed England since taking over in 1999

The England and Wales Cricket Board has welcomed Duncan Fletcher's decision to carry on as national team coach until at least the end of the 2007 World Cup.

The Zimbabwean has been in charge since 1999 but said earlier this week: "My enthusiasm is as strong as ever."

ECB chief executive David Collier told BBC Five Live's Sportsweek Fletcher had been a big part of England's success.

"He's highly respected among the players. We're delighted he has made that commitment," said Collier.

Fletcher has a rolling contract without a fixed term and having achieved a major improvement in the Test side's performance, he wants to do the same in limited overs cricket.

England have never won the World Cup despite reaching the final on three occasions but pushed Australia to the limit in a thrilling NatWest Series final earlier this summer, which ended in a tie.

"They have lagged behind the Test team but they're a young team and are catching up," he told the Daily Mail.

Peter Moores is a potential successor to Fletcher

According to the ECB, when Fletcher does decide to call it a day, a "conveyor belt" of talented coaches is in place around the county circuit from which a suitable replacement would emerge.

"We've got a national academy, we've got county academies, we've got is a natural development of our top coaches," said Collier.

"Through Hugh Morris, we are working with our level four coaches - our very highest level - to make sure they're the best coaches in the world.

"And we've just appointed Peter Moores, the Sussex Director of Cricket, as the National Academy director and we think that's a great appointment.

"It's great that we've got a world quality English coach - and a young English coach at that - who's going to be working with all our young players. We do see the Academy being a seamless integration with the full England side."