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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