Fleming feels NZ has framework for
success
By Geoff Longley
From the Press, 9 April 1997
Fleming Feels NZ Has Framework For Success by Geoff
Longley Stephen Fleming feels that the pieces of the
puzzle that make up the New Zealand cricket team are
finally starting to fit together.
He believes the core of a team to finally take New
Zealand forward consistently towards 2000 and beyond
is now virtually in place.
"We are starting to look solid. I know we have been
talking about rebuilding for year after year, but it
really does feel as if things are heading in the right
direction."
Fleming, who turns 24 on April 1 making him easily
New Zealand's youngest leader, bases his belief on the
events of the past season, having experienced much of
the rollercoaster ride since coming into the team in
1994.
"We are getting a group of 15 to 16 cricketers who
are going to take us through the next few years. What
most of them need but can't buy is experience and they
are now getting that."
Fleming said he noted what people were saying about
the large turnover of players in New Zealand ranks.
However, he said players who performed well at first-class
level deserved to be given chances at the next level
to see if they could perform there, while injuries also
had an effect.
Fleming is also keen to lead New Zealand for the next
decade after taking over in controversial circumstances
when Sydenham and Canterbury team-mate Lee Germon was
axed earlier this month.
Fleming received a taste of leading the side when
Germon was injured before the third test against England
in February and his display, along with gloveman Adam
Parore batting down the order, probably sewed a seed
in the minds of the selectors for the future.
Fleming said he felt it was not a case of himself
against Germon.
"There's been talk of a conspiracy and the players
voting against Lee, but that is not my view of things.
I was asked about leading the side after the selectors
decided Lee was not wanted against Sri Lanka."
Fleming said he felt sorry to see a colleague go and
was sad about the timing of it just two days before
a test series began.
Fleming, although light on direct leadership experience
-- his last taste of captaincy was at youth level three
years ago when he led the side to a series win against
Australia -- has been a watchful observer of Germon
at work during the past five seasons, often from close
quarters at first slip.
"Lee is tactically very good. He has a very good understanding
of the game, is a good communicator and comes across
well."
However, he said he would not be Lee Germon II, having
his own style and thoughts, especially because his inexperience
may offer a more consensus approach.
"I want to create the environment where the players
feel they can talk to me about things and offer constructive
suggestions about tactics."
Fleming said so far he had received 100 per cent support
from players within the side and that included others
with leadership aspirations. He said he was also enjoying
the relationship being forged with coach Steve Rixon.
"I think he is a very good team coach. He is not as
technically based as Glenn Turner, but works well with
us in creating the right team environment."
Fleming said Turner had been a tremendous batting
coach with Rixon offering different qualities.
Fleming acknowledged he was still learning about his
batting at test level, because he played so little first-class
cricket nowadays, and hoped the captaincy would serve
to make him more responsible at the crease.
Blessed with vast natural talent, Fleming was always
ahead of his years when playing in representative age-group
cricket teams. However, he is not from the "mainstream"
cricket schools in Canterbury, having attended Cashmere
High School, of which he is proud.
"It was good there because there wasn't the pressure
of the big cricket schools. We played third grade and
really enjoyed our game."
Fleming said he was guided there by Maurice Cribb,
was soon identified as a player of considerable talent,
and made his first-class debut when just 18.
His primary school days were spent at Waltham, which
another New Zealand captain Walter Hadlee attended,
and Fleming fondly recalls welcoming "Mr Hadlee" to
the school when head boy in Form 2.
"We still talk about the game from time to time. He
has got such a passion for it."
Fleming attended Canterbury University and is 2 1/2
years into a physical education course and Bachelor
of Education degree, which has been put on hold because
of his professional cricket commitments.
Nowadays in the off season he does promotional work
for sports company Nike, including working with the
Canterbury rugby team.
Fleming owes a debt of gratitude to his mother, Pauline,
who raised him single-handedly in a no-frills Sydenham
home.
"She gave me the opportunity to advance and try a
lot of things. Sydenham is a working class area and
I think I'm able to see that if you earn things you
appreciate them more."
Fleming's other sporting love is rugby, but he made
his choice early when deciding against attending an
under-16 Canterbury age-group trial.
Rugby's loss has been cricket's gain with Fleming
one of few New Zealand players in recent years to look
at home on the international stage.
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