Stephen Fleming takes his chances (4 January 1999)

4 January 1999

Stephen Fleming takes his chances

The Christchurch Press

There are no slip-ups where New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming is concerned in the field.

Fleming with two catches at first slip yesterday in Hamilton, following five in the second test at Wellington, moved to second equal on the table of most catches by a New Zealand player.

In just 39 tests Fleming has equalled the mark of 64 held by second slip specialist Jeremy Coney who took 52 tests. Fleming is closing on the New Zealand record of 71 set in 77 tests by Martin Crowe.

The way Fleming consumes catches at first slip the record could fall in the forthcoming series against South Africa.

While the take to remove Saurav Ganguly yesterday was regulation, Fleming made a hard chance high to his right off Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin look straightforward for No. 64.

In 1997 Fleming broke a little-known world record of catches in the calendar year clasping 28, one better than the all-time mark held by Australian Jack Gregory back in 1921. In 1997 Fleming's Australian counterpart Mark Taylor pouched 27 catches.

Fleming's name is also in the world record books having equalled the test record of seven catches in a test match against Zimbabwe in Harare. His 10 in the two-match series beat the previous New Zealand best of nine in three tests by Bryan Young.

Fleming works assiduously on the skill although has often relinquished the position when spinners come on. The New Zealand slips cordon has a new look for this series with Daniel Vettori at second slip and newcomer Matthew Bell at third.

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