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The Zimbabwean has a rolling contract with no fixed term but has overseen an incredible improvement in the England side in the Test arena since taking charge in 1999 with the side on the verge of regaining The Ashes.

Fletcher is also keen to see a similar kind of improvement in the one-day side and wants to stay on and guide the team through the World Cup in 2007, and maybe beyond, and revealed that his 'enthusiasm is as strong as ever.'

ECB chief executive David Collier told BBC Five Live's Sportsweek: "He's highly respected among the players. We're delighted he has made that commitment."

Collier went on to say that a suitable replacement, when required, would emerge from the 'conveyor belt' of talented coaches on the county circuit.

"We've got a national academy, we've got county academies, we've got is a natural development of our top coaches," he added.

"Through Hugh Morris, we are working with our level four coaches - our very highest level - to make sure they're the best coaches in the world.

"And we've just appointed Peter Moores, the Sussex Director of Cricket, as the National Academy director and we think that's a great appointment.

"It's great that we've got a world quality English coach - and a young English coach at that - who's going to be working with all our young players. We do see the Academy being a seamless integration with the full England side."