14 Facts About Keith Fletcher

Keith William Robert Fletcher was born on 20 May 1944 and is an English former first-class cricketer who played for Essex and England.

Keith Fletcher's nickname was "The Gnome of Essex", so christened by his Essex teammate, Ray East, because Fletcher's winklepickers had begun to curl up at the toes due to wear.

Keith Fletcher played 59 Test matches and 24 One Day Internationals.

Keith Fletcher started playing for his village side while living with his parents in Caldecote, Cambridgeshire, before moving to Royston, Hertfordshire to play for the local cricket club's second team at the age of 13.

However, Keith Fletcher was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1974.

Keith Fletcher went on to score six more centuries, at a rate of one every eight Tests, his highest Test score of 216 coming against New Zealand in 1975.

Keith Fletcher was dropped by England after the Centenary Test of 1977, and not recalled for over four years.

Keith Fletcher took all the blame, despite turning down the chance to join the rebels himself because of his loyalty to the England cause.

Keith Fletcher captained Essex successfully in two spells.

Keith Fletcher captained Essex to three County Championships, in 1979,1983 and 1984.

Keith Fletcher was appointed an OBE in the 1985 New Year Honours.

From 1993 to 1995, Keith Fletcher served as England team coach.

Later, Keith Fletcher returned to Essex as first-team coach, stepping down in 2001, to be replaced by his former teammate Graham Gooch.

Keith Fletcher is currently the manager of the Essex U15s team.