Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott has branded ex-national coach Duncan Fletcher a hypocrite after revelations in his autobiography about Andrew Flintoff's drinking antics.

“There he was taking the moral high ground at every opportunity. As soon as he finishes, what does he do? He gets stuck into Flintoff," the outspoken Boycott said in his Daily Telegraph column on Wednesday. "It's a bit rich from someone who has made such a big deal about not 'talking out of school'. Fletcher is a hypocrite and he should be ashamed of himself."

Fletcher steered England to a memorable 2005 Ashes victory over Australia but England were thrashed 5-0 in the return series and then performed poorly in this year's World Cup, where Flintoff was disciplined for drink-related incidents.

"In Australia, it was Fletcher's job to help Flintoff. What's the point of being coach if you don't deal with these situations?" added Boycott.