Fleming
grows in confidence
From Stuff, 18 January 2003
Stephen Fleming looks to have put behind him those embarrassingly
strokeless battles at the crease after remodelling his batting technique
in recent weeks.
There was further evidence of the New Zealand captain's growing
confidence yesterday as he produced a polished 57 from 86 balls
in Wellington's four-wicket State Shield one-day win against Auckland
at the Basin Reserve.
The signs were there on Tuesday in his increasingly assertive 60
not out in New Zealand's six-wicket win over India in the finale
of the National Bank one-day series in Hamilton.
He built on that yesterday, relishing the good batting conditions
to display an array of shots that seemed to have been lost in the
past. It was a Fleming innings more like his old self.
"It's all about confidence. I've found it working hard in the nets,
and looking at videos of myself batting," Fleming said.
"I've got a new grip, and I'm not falling away to the off-side
the way I have been. I've worked on little things for some time,
and with help from one or two people it's all come together.
"The way I'd been going led to a lot of soul searching. It's all
very encouraging looking toward the World Cup (starting on February
9 in South Africa)."
Fleming hit seven fours and two sixes, the latter beautifully struck
pull shots from the bowling of former Wellingtonian Heath Davis,
who otherwise made a fine return to the Basin.
Fleming and Richard Jones (41) were batting so freely Wellington
were poised to earn a bonus point and increase their lead at the
top of the table.
However, after lifting the Firebirds from 6-2 with their third
wicket stand of 101 they were out quickly. At 123-4 in the 31st
over Wellington became bogged down, and it required a 27 ball cameo
of 22 not out by Paul Hitchcock to bring victory at 182-6 with 14
balls remaining.
Auckland started well after losing the toss, reaching 64 for the
first wicket before the innings collapsed. Between the 19th and
38th overs Auckland went from 64-0 to 114-8, largely due to their
own ineptness.
Just when Wellington looked destined to be chasing well under 150
they conceded 67 for the last two wickets thanks to No 4 Lou Vincent's
persistent 66 from 85 balls.
The Black Cap was last out after receiving a nasty crack between
the eyes despite wearing a helmet when he tried to pull an attempted
bouncer from Hitchcock and the grill could not save him.
Though the blow unsettled Vincent he declined treatment, and despite
a splitting headache he recovered his poise to harass Wellington.
He later kept wicket competently when Wellington batted.
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