Fleming backing Vettori

Former Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming © Getty Images

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Stephen Fleming is confident New Zealand can move forward under the captaincy of Daniel Vettori as he prepares to play the final Test of his illustrious career.

The 34-year-old left-hander was relieved of the Test captaincy last year after resigning as New Zealand’s one-day captain following the World Cup with coach John Bracewell and the selectors believing successor Vettori deserved the chance to develop both sides.

He has remained a trusted advisor to Vettori, whose captaincy reign began with a heavy defeat in South Africa but he has since bounced back to win the one-day series over England and the Test series is locked at 1-1 going into the final Test at McLean Park.

But having played alongside Vettori for many years, firstly as his captain and now as a senior player, Fleming has no doubts that the future of New Zealand cricket is in good hands.

“I think Daniel’s doing a great job, but there was no doubt that he was going to,” said Fleming.

“He’s such an experienced player already, he’s got a good group of guys and they respect him.

“You can look at situations and you think about what you could do differently and it might be a field change or an over here or there but in essence he’s got control and he’s actually done things that I wouldn’t have done which have worked.”

Fleming believes his decision to retire from international cricket at the end of this series to spend more time with his family and pursue business interests is the right time for both him and Vettori.

Fleming has not ruled out playing in county cricket again in the future, but he believes the time is now right for Vettori to move on without his influence.

“I think he’s ready to move on and quite rightly so,” he said.

“The way he’s gone about it has been to stamp his authority on the side and I’d expect nothing less from him.

Fleming surveys Napier before his final international

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“There are times we speak a little bit about captaincy, but he’s very much moulding his way of doing things and I think that’s quite right.”

Fleming remains concerned, however, about the pool of experienced players at Vettori’s disposal following the recent retirements of himself, Chris Cairns, Craig McMillan, Scott Styris and Nathan Astle.

But despite the loss of such key members of New Zealand’s side, Fleming believes they have progressed to a level where they can compete with even the best sides in the world - providing the youngsters coming through can take their opportunities.

“We’ve always been looked upon as a side who are dangerous but we’ve been dangerous now too many times to just be that,” said Fleming, who has scored 7,047 runs in his 110 Tests, hit nine centuries and claimed 171 catches.

“If you look at World Cups and we’re always there or thereabouts and in Test cricket we now compete with most teams in the world.

“We’re not always getting across the line but we’re a genuine contender and that dark horse tag has probably gone now.

“That’s been a long process and it has by no means finished but it’s a gradual development of this country’s cricket and I guess even this series being 1-1 and winning the one-day series is not a great surprise any more.”