Fleming Proud Of Achievements

E-mail this Article

Print this Article

Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fleming - says Vettori could replace him.

By David Clough, PA Sport, Kingston

Stephen Fleming emerged from New Zealand's World Cup semi-final defeat against Sri Lanka with big plans for the future - even though he will no longer be his country's one-day captain.

Fleming announced after Tuesday's 81-run loss at Sabina Park that he has led his country for the last time in limited-overs cricket. But he hopes to continue as a player in both forms of the international game, and as New Zealand's Test captain.

The 34-year-old felt both pride at reaching the last four and disappointment at being unable to take his team that one elusive stage further than New Zealand have ever gone in this tournament's history.

He is already looking forward as well as back, though, as he contemplates what may happen next for New Zealand cricket.

"From a professional point of view, I think it's very important that we get some fresh ideas and enthusiasm in," he said, having led his country for the past 10 years in Tests and one-dayers.

"I'm very proud of what we've been able to achieve in my 218 games as captain.

"I think I've done the job well - and whoever takes over in that role, I want to be able to assist for a period of time.

"I have no problems stepping back and playing that role."

Fleming hopes coach John Bracewell will stick around too to help shape the future - although he acknowledges nothing is certain at a watershed time following such an important campaign.

"I think he should stay on. I think he's a fine coach who has worked well with the side," he said.

"He's obviously very disappointed to not make the final.

"If I'm given the opportunity to captain the Test side I'd like to work with him and make an improvement there."

Fleming is aware it is not incumbent on him to choose his successor, but he sees vice-captain Daniel Vettori as a strong candidate.

"If you look at the way we've groomed Daniel Vettori for this tournament, I think he would certainly come into discussion," he said.

"He's done that job very well. But there's going to be a lot of change in New Zealand cricket.

"It would probably be a little bit presumptuous to recommend Daniel, but he has done a fine job up to this point."

Fleming is satisfied that, whoever takes over, does not yet need the hassle of being captain on two fronts.

"I've thought long and hard about that, and I'm positive [having two captains] is the right way to do it," he insisted.

"It gives the guy who takes over the one-day reins chance to work on that before taking over in Tests - if that's what New Zealand Cricket want - rather than put him into the deep end.

"In the past, we've lost senior players suddenly - and people have been dropped in it. But if it's a gradual process I can see nothing but positives."

As for the challenge facing the new leader, Fleming is realistic about how difficult it will inevitably prove to get the better of the likes of Australia in the years to come.

"I'm very proud of where we got to - but disappointed we're not going one step further," he said.

"A lot of other New Zealand teams have felt the hollow feeling, but we just have to get on with it.

"We just fell short; we probably aren't as skilled as the Sri Lankans and Australians. But there's no shame in being beaten by Sri Lanka and Australia in the World Cup.

"We probably don't produce the world-class players as easily as Australia do. But to reach four semi-finals is a pretty proud record - and I think we do damned well with what we've got."

None of that will stop Fleming, and New Zealand, striving for better.

"When you get to this stage there are teams who are better than us," he acknowledged.

"For a country like ours to keep producing semi-final sides is very good - but we're not happy with that.

"That's where we have to improve, make sure the semi-final is only the line in the sand - and produce players with the calibre to take us to a World Cup final."