Stephen Fleming

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Stephen Paul Fleming (born in Christchurch on 1 April, 1973) is the current captain of the New Zealand cricket team, known as the Black Caps, and of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club. His father was President of the South Christchurch Cricket Club.

Preceded by Lee Germon	New Zealand national cricket captain 1996/7-present	Succeeded by Incumbent

A left-handed batsman, Fleming made his Test debut in 1994 against India and assumed the captaincy role during the home series against England in 1997. Known for his astute tactical abilities, he is New Zealand's most successful Test captain, having led the side to 27 victories (as of July 2006) and having won Test match series against India, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

Career Performance

Affectionately referred to by fans as "Flem", Fleming was long regarded as an underperformer with the bat, with one of the worst 50 to 100 conversion ratios in world cricket. However since the 2003 tour of Sri Lanka, Fleming has silenced his critics, with 274 not out against Sri Lanka - when Fleming selflessly declared rather than staying to reach 300.

As a fielder, Fleming has taken over 150 catches giving him the 4th highest Test aggregate for a non-wicketkeeper^[1].

Arguably Fleming's best ODI innings was his unbeaten 134 to help New Zealand beat hosts South Africa in the 2003 World Cup. Chasing a rain adjusted target of 229 off 39 overs, Fleming hit 134 off just 132 deliveries as New Zealand cruised to a 9-wicket victory over a team they had struggled against in the past. Fleming has not been one of the world's leading ODI batsmen at any stage of his career but has five other centuries to his credit.

As of May 2006, Fleming had captained New Zealand in 76 Test matches -- a New Zealand record and the second highest number worldwide ^[2]. On 25 October 2006, Fleming captained his country for the 195th time in an ODI - a world record. He also captained the English county Nottinghamshire to County Championship victory in 2005, the first Championship title for the club in 18 years.

In the 2nd Test between New Zealand and South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town in April 2006, Fleming scored his 3rd Test double-century and became the first New Zealander to achieve this feat. Fleming scored 262 as he and Wellington team-mate James Franklin put 256 runs for the 8th wicket, the highest partnership in Tests between New Zealand and South Africa. It is also a record for the 8th wicket against any country.

World Records

Most capped ODI Captain (195 matches as of October 25 2006) ^[3]

Internal Links

External links

References

[1] ttp://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/FIELDING/CATCHES_CAREER.html

[Test_Captain-2] ttp://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/INDIVIDUAL/TEST_CAPTAIN_APPEARANCES.html

[3] ttp://usa.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/ODIS/INDIVIDUAL/ODI_CAPTAIN_APPEARANCES.html

[1]

[2]

[3]

Stephen Fleming

Source: [1], 23 December 2006