Stephen Fleming

The best captain I have had the pleasure of watching has called it a day. Before his last test series, he wanted to increase the century count to double figures and take his batting average above 40 (a measure of a good batsman). He failed to achieve the former but managed the latter. Well, that sums his individual game. He was always been an under performer especially with the loads of talent and grace he possessed. The conversion of 100's clear highlights this fact (46 fifties and only 9 100's). However, he will be well remembered as a captain than a batsman. As a captain he has performed way above the expected norms. Considering the resources at his disposal as a New Zealand captain he performed superbly. He was one of the first captains to stand ground to the Aussies and give them back with mouth and through cricket. The standing ovation he received from everybody, including the English team, is a testament to the respect people have for him. I was watching it live to see the moment when he retired. Now that he is gone, its up to the new generation under Daniel Vettori.