Johannesburg: Touring Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin admits poor record away from home in Test cricket is the fault of the players and not the coach.
“As players, we have to accept the failure and admit we have failed as a group," Ashwin said.
Ashwin said that they have not had a great record aboroad and that the team has to accept it, rather than saying the coach has not had a great record.
Fletcher took over the reigns from Gary Kirsten in 2011 and, at the start of his tenure, the team suffered series whitewashes -- to England and Australia -- in the 2011/2012 season.
Ashwin said the support staff facilitated behind the scenes on tour but were limited in what they could do for the players on the field.
“Their role is always about creating a good environment. They make sure we have good facilities for practice and try and aid somebody who is going through a lean patch.
“We had poor tours of Australia and England but Fletcher has always been on the mark in terms of arranging practice and in terms of what guys want, going to them and talking to them."
Ashwin said the coach had never been shy of telling players when he felt they were under-performing, and would also suggest a batsman or bowler change their approach where necessary.
