Duncan Fletcher: back in the box © Getty Images

Listeners to the BBC's Test Match Special are in for a rare treat this winter, in the form of a gruff, monotone Zimbabwean, whose guarded utterances required the travelling press corps to develop forensic journalistic skills during his seven-year stint at the helm of the England cricket team.

That's right, Duncan Fletcher has put aside his ingrained loathing of the media and been persuaded out of his bubble, and will provide expert analysis during England's fixtures in his home town of Cape Town this winter. Having performed a consultancy role during South Africa's successful tour of Australia last year, he is ideally placed to provide insight from both camps.

Aside from a regular column in The Guardian, Fletcher has kept a low media profile since his no-holds-barred autobiography was released in 2007, although in the TMS box he will have a chance to team up with his former sidekick, Michael Vaughan, who was England's victorious captain when they last toured South Africa in 2004-05.

For his fans and former foes alike, there will be great nostalgic value in hearing Fletcher utter his favourite lines for one last time - not least "aww look ..." and "this is not the right forum ..." especially if Graeme Swann starts spinning England to victory.