Fleming close to missing cup

From Stuff, 27 January 2003

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming believes he came within an "inch" of being ruled out of the World Cup playing for Wellington against Auckland last week.

Fleming missed his second State Shield match in succession for Wellington yesterday because of a shin injury but it could have been a lot worse.

Fielding at short cover last Wednesday, Fleming took a thunderous drive from Llorne Howell on his right shin and has been unable to walk freely since.

Fleming believes if the ball had struck him flush on the shin it might have broken the bone but it was just to the left and "mashed" the tendon instead.

"I back myself nine times out of 10 to catch the ball that comes my way but it was hit with such power I had no chance," Fleming said.

He will leave with the World Cup team for South Africa today but does not expect to be doing much physical work till next weekend.

New Zealand have two warmup matches in South Africa before their opening game against Sri Lanka on February 10.

Left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori was the other Black Cap to sit out yesterday's final round of domestic one-day cricket because of a slight groin injury.