Captain in form slump? 31 May 2004

Stephen Flemings last 16 test innings have been 0, 33, 1, 8, 30, 192, 0, 0, 24, 27, 4, 31*, 30, 9, 34 and 4. An aggregate of 427 at an average of 28. There has only been one century in that time. Take the big century out and he has only averaged 17. Fleming has not scored over fifty runs for 10 innings. He averaged only 25.25 with a high score of 31 not out in the recent test series against South Africa. In the test series against India in 2003 he only averaged 13 with a high score of 30. After scores of 34 and 4 in the first test against England there must be some questions asked. He may be regarded among the best tactical captains in the world but his batting is definitely not world class. Indisciplined batting when his team needs him to step up and turn tight tests into wins, such as the last test against South Africa and the current first test against England are not the displays of a world class batsman or captain. In both these games the Black Caps were in with a real chance of winning but Flemings second innings scores of 9 and 4 were terrible contributions where a Waugh like captains knock was needed.

Can he continue to under achieve with the bat but hold his spot because of his captaincy?  The stats do not support the ‘best captain in world cricket’ tag given to Fleming by some players and media. Fleming has won only 1 of his last 9 tests, although losing only 3. This year the Black Caps have won only one test, lost two and drawn one. Compared to other captains in their last 9 tests his stats do not stack up well.  Even Heath Streak, the usual Zimbabwae captain, has a better batting average in his last nine tests, as well as taking 27 wickets for his teams cause. And Habibul Bashir, captain of the woeful Bangladeshis, has contributed more with the bat than Fleming in his last 9 tests.

Fleming needs a big series against the English to confirm his place in the team as a batsman and a captain. More failures, after promising, elegant but shortlived innings, are not good enough. Deliver or move on.

Test Captains last 9 tests

NOTE : Since this article was written Stephen Fleming has finally hit another half century, scoring 97 in the first innings of the second test against England. Once again he fell short of a century but a good knock nonetheless. However in the second innings he scored 11, again failing when his team needed a big innings to consolidate their position after Englands big 1st innings lead. The team capitulated, losing by 9 wickets and therefore losing the test series after all the promise and talk at the start of the tour. There may have been injuries contributing to the performance but the overall the Black Caps were totally outplayed.

The whole team, coach, selectors and captain must take a good look at themselves and many questions need to be answered. What is the point of Kyle Mills on the tour if he is not going to be selected for the tests when other bowlers like Ian Butler and Michael Mason could bring badly needed pace and penetration? Where is the back up spinner? How stringent were the fitness tests when Shane Bond breaks down after 2 games and only 44 overs? Can no one else apart from Richardson control their attacking urges and build an innings? Whats happened to Scott Styris?

Flemings average in his last 10 tests has now risen to 31.48