Stephen Fleming back for one-dayers (22 March 1999)

22 March 1999

Stephen Fleming back for one-dayers

The Christchurch Press

Injury-troubled New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming is poised to return to the Black Caps team today, after more than two months on the sideline.

Fleming has been passed 100 per cent fit by New Zealand Cricket's medical panel and seems set to be rushed back into the Black Caps for their next one-day match against the Proteas, at Napier on Thursday night, when the team is named today.

The selectors are taking a risk including Fleming again after no play for so long, but are desperate to shore up the top order batting, which has been decimated by the injuries to Fleming, Chris Cairns, and Craig McMillan.

Fleming will need to be right as he cannot be shielded in the field in the hurly-burly of the 50-over game.

He is likely to have to face South African pace bowling ace Allan Donald , who has recovered from his stomach muscle injury and is expected to play.

The other area of selection interest involves the make-up of the pace bowling contingent to play the Proteas, with New Zealand 2-1 up in the six-match series.

The selectors must decide whether to retain Shayne O'Connor or experiment with Carl Bulfin who, like O'Connor, has been named in the 19-strong preliminary World Cup squad.

Possible squad: Nathan Astle, Matthew Horne, Stephen Fleming (captain), Roger Twose, Adam Parore, Chris Harris, Dion Nash, Daniel Vettori, Gavin Larsen, Simon Doull, Geoff Allott, Carl Bulfin.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)