Fletcher was born in Salisbury, N.Rhodesia, in 1948 and made his first-class debut in 1969/70. He showed in only his second game the grit and determination that characterised his career, as he made a match-saving 50 with a broken hand. Fletcher was a left-handed middle order batsman and right-arm fast medium bowler, and was also an outstanding fielder, rated by his countrymen as second only to Colin Bland. He captained Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup, and led them to their first-ever win in a one day international. He retired from first-class cricket in 1985 with a career record of 4,097 runs at an average of 23.68, with a highest score of 93 against Young New Zealand at Bulawayo in 1984/85. He also took 215 first-class wickets at 28 apiece, and after retiring, he emigrated to South Africa, where he has coached with Western Province, and helped over half a dozen young cricketers earn international honours. He is held in very high regard South Africa, and is viewed as the best provincial coach in the country. It was fitting therefore that he was chosen to coach their `A` team which toured the U.K. in 1996.

After agreeing terms with the Welsh county, Fletcher said "I have long held an ambition to become involved in county cricket, and I was very flattered when Glamorgan approached me. It will be a new challenge for me, but the role I am being asked to perform is precisely what I would have wanted and I am particularly looking forward to working with the existing coaches, and with Matthew Maynard, for whom I have a high regard. I believe I can help mould what is a very talented squad of players into an attractive and highly successful unit. There is clearly a buzz at Glamorgan following the purchase of the Cardiff ground and the signing of Waqar Younis, and the prospect of coming over as First XI Coach at this time is a very exciting one."

Hugh Davies, the Chairman of the Cricket Committee, was equally delighted about the signing of Fletcher. "Having identified Duncan as the coach we wanted for 1997, we are naturally pleased that Western Province have agreed to release him. The committee has for some time felt that the Club needed someone from outside the county game to bring in some fresh ideas and Dunacan`s coaching c.v. is second to none. I am sure he will do an excellent job, and that he and Matthew will make a very efffective team. John Derrick was involved in First XI affairs in 1996, and he did everything that was asked of him, but the recruitment of a new First XI Coach has remained a priority and we are pleased to have attracted someone with such an impressive pedigree."

Glamorgan are clearly hoping that the appointment of Fletcher will have the same effect on the 1st XI as the appointments of other overseas coaches, such as Bob Woolmer with Warwickshire, Dave Gilbert at Surrey, Daryl Foster at Kent, and Les Stillman at Derbyshire. But as Secretary Mike Fatkin pointed out, there are many other spin-off effects as well. "Although this appointment benefits the top level, we are also mindful of the importance of continuity on the development of youngsters. In addition to their responsibilities with the First and Second XI`s last summer, both John Derrick and Alan Jones had to devote a great deal of their time to Under-17, Under-19, and Colts XI cricket, and it is not ideal for two coaches to be doing the work of three people. Duncan`s appointment will release John and Alan to concentrate on Second team and youth cricket, which provides us with the sort of coaching structure we have been seeking for some time, and although the committee has yet to finalise the specific details, John and Alan will have a vital part to play in the development of cricketers throughout the calendar year."