http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 PM surprised by Stephen Fleming’s repute in India – Cricket News Update
John Key, the New Zealand Prime Minister, is stunned by the former Kiwi captain, Stephen Fleming’s overwhelming fame in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750. Key, who is currently paying an official visit to India, has observed that the Indians give more protocol to Fleming than him.
Fleming is coaching Chennai Super Kings, an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, in India. The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side has won two league tournaments in a row and claimed a Champions League title, perking up the coach’s popularity to a great extent.
Talking to the media today, Key said, “The first thing I have learned is that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Stephen-Paul-Fleming-c91190 is very popular here.”
He further told, “He is so popular that a few people mentioned to me that if I was prepared to get Stephen Fleming to coach not only the Chennai Super Kings for free, but if he was prepared to give a whole lot of other school children cricket lessons, that
might help us complete the FTA (free trade agreement).”
Fleming’s popularity in India is evident from the fact that the legend was shortlisted as a potential candidate along with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Flower-c44362 for the coachship of Team India after Gary Kirsten’s resignation two months back.
Fleming holds great repute in international cricket. He led New Zealand for almost a decade. Before resigning from international cricket, he had played 111 Tests and 280 ODIs with an excellent track record.
The 38-year-old was a top-order batsman of the Black Caps and he scored 7172 Test and 8037 ODI runs.
After his retirement, he was also offered a coaching job by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) but he refused by saying that he wanted to give time to his family and establish a business.
However, Fleming joined the coach-ship of Chennai Super Kings on the constant insistence of the franchise managers, India Cement.
Key wants Fleming to expand his coaching circle and train the school children of India in professional cricket as the Indians trust on his abilities a lot. The Prime Minister is keen to sign a deal with India to implement sports scholarship programmes that,
he thinks, will be helpful for the promotion of the game in both the cricketing nations.
Tags: