Fleming century almost not enough for Black Caps
From the New Zealand Herald / NZPA, 22 June 2002
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - A typically majestic Stephen
Fleming century and some lower order belligerence saved
the New Zealand team from potential disaster on day
one of the first cricket test against the West Indies
here today.
Fleming's 130 in just short of
five hours, his fourth century in 70 tests, lifted New
Zealand from a jittery 117 for five as they ended day
one 257 for six at a sun-drenched Kensington Oval.
The captain, though, should have
been kicking himself for his dismissal nine overs before
stumps to an innocuous Carl Hooper delivery when it
was imperative he see the side through to the close.
Wicketkeeper Robbie Hart, after
a gutsy unbeaten 34 in 165 minutes, and Northern Districts
team-mate Daniel Vettori were left to resume for New
Zealand tomorrow and try to nudge them past 300. Vettori
did his best before stumps as he attacked his way to
21 with four fours.
Fleming though deserved the plaudits
for the way he steered his side out of the mire after
the meek dismissals of the rest of the top six. It was
a memorable knock filled with the trademark flicks off
his legs and drives through the off side.
Entering at 38 for one after the
first hour, Fleming never looked like giving a chance
on a pitch not as bouncy as expected. Hooper had won
the toss and chosen to bowl, with his four pace bowlers
probably expecting more assistance from the conditions.
Fleming's first 50 took just over
two hours and he cruised through to a century in 228
minutes, off 177 balls, including 17 fours. He brought
up three figures with a classic cover drive for four
off paceman Mervyn Dillon.
Fleming went into today with just
three centuries and 33 half-centuries -- his previous
test hundred against Australia in Perth in December
had broken a 3-1/2 year drought.
Fleming, after a lean run of centuries
in his test career, was satisfied to lead from the front
at last.
"With my record every hundred's
crucial, and it was nice today in a situation where
the team needed it. From a skipper's point of view it's
the way I always want to lead and I've got a lot of
catching up to do," Fleming said.
"The middle order effort was disappointing
and the nature of the dismissals was more annoying.
That will be addressed."
He acknowledged though his wicket
came at a crucial time when he needed to carry on towards
200.
"I'm always disappointed to get
out like that, I wanted to push on and it wasn't a great
delivery."
Fleming though said 300 would be
a competitive total on a pitch likely to become more
variable and assist the spin of Vettori later on.
The captain's effort didn't quite
save the blushes of his experienced team-mates who should
have made the home side pay for a not entirely accurate
effort.
After Lou Vincent was nicked out
for 14, Fleming and Mark Richardson saw it safely to
lunch at 77 for one. Three overs later though, Richardson
drove at a straight one from Adam Sanford and was bowled
through the gate after a hard-working 41 in just over
two hours.
It signalled a collapse of four
wickets for 29. Chris Harris faced just four balls as
he edged to first slip, Nathan Astle drove wildly at
Dillon and departed the same way before Craig McMillan
was trapped in front by Sanford on the back foot.
Hart though kept it simple in his
second test, helping his captain through as the pair
added 108 in two hours as Hooper turned to the dual
spin attack of himself and Chris Gayle.
Fleming ploughed on past 100 and
it looked a certainty he would bat into tomorrow and
chase his highest test score of 174. But as in the past,
Fleming got too loose and cut at Hooper and Gayle juggled
the catch.
Vettori had to face a difficult,
gloomy nine-over period with the new ball before stumps
and was hit on the back when ducking a Pedro Collins
beamer.
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