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The Times & The Sunday Times
The Times & The Sunday Times
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Stephen Fleming retires from Test cricket

Times Online and Agencies
The Times
Times Online and Agencies
The Times

Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand cricket captain, has announced his retirement from test cricket at the age of 34.

He will play out the current test series against England, which ends in Napier on March 22, but will not join the national side for the tour of England this summer as he had previously planned.

“I always indicated that I was likely to retire from international cricket at some point in the near future and the time is right for me and my family to do that now,” Fleming told a press conference in Auckland. “Retiring before the tour to England will allow me to be with (wife) Kelly for the birth of our second child and I’m excited about pursuing new business opportunities.”

Although he has played county cricket in England for Middlesex, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, Fleming does not intend to do that this coming season. However, he will be available for the high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 competition starting in April.

Fleming captained the New Zealand side 80 times over ten years, with 28 wins but was relieved of the test-match captaincy last year when he quit one day cricket. With 108 tests, he is the most capped New Zealander and, although he hopes to take his 39.73 average into the 40s during the upcoming test series, he is also New Zealand’s highest ever runs scorer with 6,875, and also hold the record for catches.

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Daniel Vettori, his successor as New Zealand captain, hailed Fleming as “one of New Zealand’s greats”.

“First and foremost he’s going to be remembered as one of New Zealand’s greats - leading catcher, most amount of Test matches and he’s also been captain for 10 years - so when you bundle all that together you’ve got an amazing cricketer,” Vettori said.

Justin Vaughan, New Zealand Cricket’s chief executive, also lauded Fleming, saying he was a great captain and player.

“Stephen’s leadership qualities had a tremendous impact on the team and he will be missed,” Vaughan said. “He has made a huge contribution to cricket in New Zealand and I sincerely wish him all the best.”