Cricket Betting: New Zealand looking to give Fleming the perfect send-off

Test previews / Dean Roulston / 21 February 2008 / Leave a Comment

Cricket betting man Dean Rouston reflects on Stephen Fleming's career and looks ahead to the upcoming series against England

The forthcoming three test series between the Black Caps and the Poms marks the end of an era in New Zealand cricket. Stephen Fleming's full international retirement after 14 years of sterling service is only the latest in a series of high profile exits from the NZ squad, but none will be felt more than this.

The start to his career would best be described as up and down. He was named man of the match in both his first Test and ODI on the back of scores in the 90's in both. However this early success was overshadowed when he and two others were sent home from a tour of South Africa the same year after being caught smoking hash. After that misdemeanour though, he never looked back.

Provided Flem' steps onto the field in all three tests, he will walk away with NZ test records for most tests (111), most test runs (nearly 7,000), most double centuries (three) and most wins, as well as similar accolades in the One Day game. Some will argue that these figures could have been even greater had he been able to convert more of his 43 fifties into hundreds.

Impressive as his personal achievements are, it was as a successful captain of a side limited in talent where Fleming really made his mark. Thrown in the deep-end as New Zealand's youngest captain at 23, he would lead the team for the next 10 years. Only Allan Border has captained an international side longer. Under his guidance, the Black Caps became a formidable unit, good enough to beat England away in 1999, win the ICC trophy in 2000, and make World Cup Semi-Finals in '99 and '07, and secure an away test series draw against Steve Waugh's mighty Australian side in 01/02. In 2005 he also led Nottinghamshire to their first county championship since 1987.

Dan Vettori and his charges will be keen to send Fleming out on a winning note against England over the coming weeks. England deservedly line up favourites, however a fired up Black Caps side is not to be underestimated. Some fantastic performances in the One Day series to date from the likes of Jesse Ryder, Jamie How and Brendon McCullum point to a bright future for NZ.

For New Zealand, batting is a massive worry. Matthew Bell's hundred against Bangladesh in December was the first by a NZ opener since Fleming against England in 2004. Who he will open with is a bit of a mystery, I'd like to see Jamie How get the nod as he looks the goods. Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton and Matthew Sinclair will join Fleming in the middle order and these players need to stand up against the experience of Hoggard, Harmison and co if NZ are to stand a chance.

The middle to lower order is definitely New Zealand's strength with all-rounders Oram, McCullum and Vettori able to be relied on with bat, ball and gloves. Chris Martin leads the pace attack and has a great test record. The support will come from Mills, Mason and O'Brien, and these guys must really be on the money to trouble the experienced England batting line-up.

For me the betting value seems to be laying England in the first test match odds ([2.3]) and test series winner markets ([1.86]). Many of the pommie test squad haven't had any cricket for several months now, and the Black Caps will be hoping to catch them cold in the first test at Hamilton.