Maynard hits back at Keith Fletcher

Matthew Maynard has hit back Keith Fletcher's accusations that he is unsuitable to be England's assistant coach because of his penchant for partying. Maynard, who will be made permanent coach on Thursday, is dismayed at the comments that the former England captain Fletcher made in his recent autobiography about the tour to West Indies in 1993-94 which was managed by Fletcher.

"He liked a drink in my tour to the West Indies," Fletcher wrote, "and was off to any party going. Talented batsman though he is, I personally would not put him forward as a role model for young cricketers."

In his newspaper column, Maynard responded by saying that he has matured since the 1993-94 tour, which took place 12 years ago. "While there are things I would have done differently," Maynard wrote in The South Wales Echo, "12 years on, I would certainly dispute Fletcher's comments about me being a poor role model. I think these days I am a good example to players with my wok ethic and the way I enjoy playing the game. I was a young man when I toured the West Indies and I learned a lot from that tour.

"While Keith has been critical of me, there were some things I was not happy about, most notably his man-management skills during the tour. One minute you were in the team and people like Keith were all over you like a rash. The next minute you were out of the side and he did not want to know you."

Maynard has sworn that he will keep an eye on all players under his care. "When I was captain and now a coach," he said, "I believe it is more important to look after the players who are not involved in the side."

And he told the BBC Sport website that he thought it was "a shame what he [Fletcher] says. I beg to differ."