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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