With an establishment background hailing from a different era - Eton and the army came before his cricket really took shape - Matthew Fleming was almost the archetypal good county pro, a capable allrounder who was particularly adept at the one-day game, described by Christopher Martin-Jenkins as "an occasionally inspirational and inspired player, always wholehearted and brilliant at cover point." In 1997 an excellent season for Kent was rewarded with a call-up to the England one-day side, and on his debut against India at Sharjah, he took 4 for 45 to help steer England to a narrow win. In the next six months he made another 10 appearances, bowling consistently but struggling to make an impression with the bat. He continued to lead Kent with distinction, moulding them into a competitive and efficient side, especially in the one-day arena. He proved to be a good observer and writer on the game, and after retiring at the end of 2002 (he signed off by scoring the fastest hundred of the summer, 66 balls against the touring Sri Lankans) his involvement in the game continued as an administrator.
Cricinfo staff