Fleming vows to spice up batting
By Jonathan Millmow
From Stuff, 10 December 2002
New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming has spiced up the international
summer by revealing he intends returning to his free scoring ways
in the test and one-day series against India.
Fleming, 29, burst on to the international scene nine years ago
as an elegant stroke-laden left-hander but cricket enthusiasts around
the world have watched in horror as he has stripped the flair from
his game.
Over the past 12 months Fleming even employed a grip on the bat
that made his signature straight drive virtually impossible to execute
and he now accepts that, among other things, was a mistake.
"I've not been hitting the ball well for 12 months and my game
has always been based on timing, hitting the gaps in the field and
scoring boundaries I think I've lost that ability," he said
yesterday.
"I've decided to make some changes and immediately it has given
me the opportunity to access certain areas again."
The changes appear as much mental and technical. There will be
a subtle change with his top hand to allow more freedom when playing
through the off side, but Fleming is talking in refreshing tones
ahead of the first test, starting at Wellington's Basin Reserve
on Thursday.
"It may not mean that I necessarily score faster in this test and
I'm not suddenly going to be full and free but I do want to score
quicker.
"My teammates know I can play shots and in a way I feel I've been
letting them down when a cover drive squirts through gully."
The more aggressive approach could also unlock the key to Fleming
converting more half centuries into hundreds. His conversion rate
of 33 50s and four centuries is among the poorest in the game, but
five hours at the crease could see him surpass three figures where
previously he'd be marooned in the 80s.
"I think it will give me opportunities to score them (hundreds)
quicker. Everyone makes mistakes in an innings but instead of getting
that unplayable ball in the 70s or 80s I may be past 100.
"It hasn't been so much tiredness that has let me down in the past
but if the bad ball comes along you want to smack it for four, a
la Nathan Astle.
"He puts the loose ball away nine times out of 10 I haven't
always been doing that because certain shots haven't been on for
me."
Fleming said his poor start to the State Championship, which included
a five-ball pair against Auckland, had not affected his confidence
ahead of the test.
"It was disappointing to bag a pair but that doesn't suddenly make
you out of form or a bad player. I've been happy with my ball striking,
particularly at the Basin the other day (55 off 83 balls including
10 fours against Central Districts)."
In 71 tests Fleming has scored 4217 runs at 36.35.
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