Stephen Fleming targets Saturday comeback (14 January 1999)

14 January 1999

Stephen Fleming targets Saturday comeback

The Christchurch Press

New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming could be back in action as early as Saturday, after being cleared of a serious groin injury.

Fleming returned to the Black Caps' camp yesterday, and had a light training run - a hit with the bat and some fielding practice - with coach Steve Rixon in Wellington.

"It felt good," Fleming said yesterday. "I'm looking at Saturday, but certainly not ready for tomorrow."

A scan in Christchurch cleared Fleming's groin of a deep-seated tear.

"It's not a massive tear, but there's still something not quite right. We're willing to ride it for the next two games and trying to get it right during the break (before the South African series)."

That might require an injection, or, if the problem is not too serious, strength and flexibility exercises.

Fleming aggravated the groin injury while fielding in the first one-day match against India in Taupo last Saturday night.

His absence in today's third one-day match at Wellington means allrounder Dion Nash will again lead the Black Caps.

Team manager John Graham said a decision on whether Fleming played in Auckland, in the fourth one-day international, might not be made until Saturday morning.

The New Zealanders flew to Wellington yesterday morning after their pulsating, last-over loss to India in Napier on Tuesday night.

The side had a debrief in the capital, before taking the rest of the afternoon off.

Graham confirmed that the astonishing number of run-outs in the New Zealand innings at Napier - five in total - was high on the list of discussion points.

Graham said the players spoke of the need to trust each other's running, make clear calls and stronger judgments.

Both Graham and selection panel convener Ross Dykes believed that the high number of run-outs was an extraordinary circumstance.

"You can argue over it and talk about it but I don't think it can happen again," said Dykes.

Today's match is shaping as a special one for home-town veteran Gavin Larsen. The Wellington medium pacer has 99 one-day international wickets and if he manages to reach the 100 milestone he will be the seventh New Zealand bowler to do so.

New Zealand (from): Dion Nash (c), Matthew Horne, Bryan Young, Craig McMillan, Roger Twose, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore, Chris Harris, Daniel Vettori, Simon Doull, Gavin Larsen, Chris Drum.

India (from): Mohammad Azharuddin (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Nayan Mongia, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Nikhil Chopra, Venkatesh Prasad, Hrishikesh Kanitkar.

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