Duncan Fletcher has revealed part of his cricket philosophy to help launch a two-day World Cricket Coaches Conference in Telford.

The Zimbabwe-born England coach was the main drawcard on the opening day of Cricket Life 2001 - the second time such an event has been held.

Fletcher was just one of a number of high profile cricket figures from around the world who are sharing their knowledge with players and fellow coaches.

The head of Australia's cricket academy, Rod Marsh, South African master batsman Barry Richards, Indian spin maestro Bishan Bedi, Mike Gatting, Ian Healy and Graham Gooch were just some of the other names offering their respective insights into the game.

Lord MacLaurin, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said the event was designed to impart skills and expertise to benefit all those attending the conference and exhibition.

Part of the ECB's strategy, he added, was to develop the most effective cricket coaching programme in the world and Cricket Live 2001 was part of that plan.

Fletcher, who was appointed to his job in June 1999 and has guided England to four successive Test series victories, said his system of coaching was based on using a business management structure and passing responsibility onto the players.

He said part of the key in engendering good team spirit and morale came down to players all feeling as though they were contributing to making decisions.

"The whole team seems to have accepted it, Nasser Hussain enjoys it, and there is a really good vibe in the dressing room - even if we lose."

Lack of practice

England play the first of two Tests against Pakistan in less than three weeks time and Fletcher said the sodden start to the season would become a concern if players were unable to get games under their belts.

"We want our guys to be prepared for the first Test but this is something that happens every year with the weather playing its part.

"It's not ideal preparation by any means and apart from the odd one-day game, the contracted players will probably play from here on in until the Test."

While the Ashes series against Australia is at the forefront of everyone's minds, Fletcher is not prepared to underestimate the threat of Pakistan.

"We've had some good series wins and we want to carry on that momentum, but they will be tough, we were fortunate to beat them over there.

"I'm not concerned with their problems, we've got our own ones to deal with."