Cricketing Safari
By Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle (Hodder Moa Beckett,
2001)
Review by Kit
 Fleming
and Astle wrote this book during the Black Caps' tour
of Singapore, Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa during
2000, aiming to record, diary-style, the experience
of playing cricket in Africa. Unfortunately, it was
not as positive as they hoped. The tour was marred by
numerous injuries amongst the New Zealanders and a woeful
double series defeat in South Africa. As a result, Cricketing
Safari - particularly Fleming's contemplative 'internal
monologues' - often makes for a gloomy and depressing
read, although the tone of the work is lightened by
Astle's interspersed segments of casual 'chatter'. Still,
the 2000 touring season included some highlights for
the Black Caps - the 2-0 defeat of Zimbabwe and, above
all, the Kenyan campaign which saw Fleming's team win
the innaugral ICC KnockOut Trophy, all described first-hand.
The book also includes some entertaining photos - check
out Roger Twose in the hot/cold tub, and Flem as Mr
Ed!
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