Mother Teresa comes to rescue philosophical Fletcher

Sydney, Feb 14 (UNI) England coach Duncan Fletcher said Mother Teresa's inspirational words kept him going during the bleakest period of the Ashes.

''Mother Teresa said that when you are successful, you win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies,'' Fletcher said.

''I am quite philosophical about it. I will leave it at that,'' The Sydney Mornig Herald quoted the England coach as saying.

An Ashes-battered England made a shock comeback to win the one-day series and Duncan Fletcher extolled the words of Mother Teresa as inspiration during one of the worst periods of English cricket history.

Fletcher also credited 'Ice Man' Alan Chambers, who provided him with the Mother's quotes and comments.

Chambers is a motivational speaker and polar adventurer, who spoke to England players before their successful Ashes campaign in 2005.

''We call Alan Chambers the Ice Man,'' Fletcher said. ''We use him to psychologically boost the side up. We spoke before the Ashes and he has kept in touch with me. He has sent me a few e-mails during this tour. He has been the most positive individual who has spoken to me on the tour.'' UNI XC SAM PDS PM1339