Fleming adds to leadership laurels

By Geoff Longley
From the Christchurch Press, 28 April 2003

Stephen Fleming had the respect of his peers as a world-class captain, now is he is making sure it is also as a batsman.

The New Zealand captain's reputation as a player who could not convert half centuries into big hundreds is being shed and shredded.

Fleming's massive unbeaten 274 not out against Sri Lanka in Colombo is another big step along the way to recognition as a genuine world-class batsman. His near 11-hour epic innings in strength-sapping heat and humidity rates among the finest in New Zealand's test history.

Although Fleming's test average rises just two runs over all from 36 to 38 on the back of the innings, his stature on the world stage has been further enhanced.

For many a season Fleming, labouring under the burden of having the Black Caps captaincy thrust upon him while too young (at 23), racked regular half centuries.

Lapses in concentration or technical troubles often the left hander over- balancing across his body and led to many a promising innings being unfulfilled.

When Fleming first arrived on the international scene in 1993-94 and made a stylish 92 against India big things were expected.

He was labelled another David Gower, the elegant England left-hander.

When Fleming struck his first century, 129 against England in 1996-96 in his 39th test innings, it was thought it would be just be the beginning of a dam burst. Later in that series Fleming was saddled with skippering the team.

Such major responsibility appeared to set him back, despite the respect of his teammates. He had minimal previous leadership experience.

Fleming initially showed few initial signs of it affecting his advancement, his next century of 174 not out against Sri Lanka coming the following season (and 22 innings later).

Then the drought kicked in and Fleming went a further 46 innings before just his third hundred against Australia at Perth two summers ago.

In the meantime he had accumulated a record 30 half centuries which still meant he commanded a handy test average.

But Fleming continued to work at his game and now seems to be reaping the rewards.

He spent a season with Middlesex in 2001 polishing his batsmanship and further recent technical refinements appear to have him standing tall and delivering.

No more does Fleming fall away to off and there is greater accuracy about his stroke-making.

Since his breakthrough century against Australia two more have now come, making three in the last 18 innings with just two 50s.

That is not including his match- winning unbeaten 134 for New Zealand against South Africa in a must-win World Cup one-day match this season.

Fleming could have batted on against Sri Lanka and become the first New Zealand to score a triple century -- he will probably never get a better chance. Selflessly he put team goals first, another enduring part of his character.

His run flow is becoming a flood with more expected as Fleming, who turned 30 on April 1, approaches his batting prime.