Stephen Fleming - New Zealand's most successful captain
Considered as one of the greatest captains in the history of international cricket, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Stephen-Paul-Fleming-c91190 will be remembered as one of the best batsmen New Zealand cricket has ever produced.
Born on April 1, 1973, the left-handed batsman debuted in the Test cricket in March 1994 with a match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754’s second innings
to guide the side to a competitive 368 for 7 declare. Fleming scored his maiden Test century during 1996-97 home series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013.
After making a Test debut in 1994, Fleming went on to play 111 Test matches before bidding farewell to the five day cricket in March 2008, after playing his swansong Test against England. In his 111 matches, he scored 7,172 runs at an average of 40.06 including
forty six fifties and nine tons with a career best of unbeaten 274.
The left-hander debuted in the one day cricket during the same 1994 home series against India with his maiden ODI appearance at Napier on March 25, 1994. With an ODI batting average of 32.40, his ODI stats are equally impressive. The veteran piled up 8037
ODI runs from 280 appearances. His tally of 8037 runs is laced with 49 half centuries and eight hundreds, including career best 134 not out.
The 38-year-old Fleming was given the reigns of Kiwis’ Test side in 1996, at the age of 23 making him the youngest ever New Zealand Test captain. Besides being the youngest Test captain of Black Caps, he is the most successful captain in the history of New
Zealand cricket. He went on to lead the Kiwis in 80 Tests winning 28 and losing 27 while 25 ended in no result.
In the one-day cricket, Fleming captained national side in 218 matches with a win 98 and losing 106 matches. Under Fleming’s only one ODI was tied while 13 were abandoned.
The international records the prolific New Zealand batsman holds include most capped ODI skipper and most catches by a Test fielder in a calendar year. Fleming captained New Zealand in 218 One Day Internationals and caught 28 batsmen in 1997.
Coming to the national records, Fleming is New Zealand’s leading Test run scorer with a tally of 7172. His 111 Test appearances are the maximum by a Kiwi player. Likewise, he is the leading ODI run scorer and his 279 One Day Internationals are the maximum
by any New Zealander so far. Having led New Zealand in 80 Tests, he is the most capped Test captain of New Zealand. He was succeeded by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DL-Vettori-c1384 as Kiwis’ skipper in 2007
In June this year, Fleming was made officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, one of New Zealand’s highest civil honors.
He retired from the international cricket in 2008. His last ever international appearance was a Test match against England at Napier in March 2008.
Fleming played for Chennai Super kings in the inaugural Indian Premier League however from the next season he started coaching CSK and has led the side to two consecutive IPL titles in 2010 and 2011.
Tags: