Vettori takes the reins

Daniel Vettori © Getty Images

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Daniel Vettori has replaced Stephen Fleming as captain of the New Zealand Test team, with his predecessor also announcing his retirement from one-day cricket.

Vettori, currently leading New Zealand in the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa, was confirmed as the Test skipper by New Zealand cricket as Fleming announced his decision to bow out of limited-overs competition.

Fleming, 34, who is plying his trade with county side Nottinghamshire, played in 279 one-day internationals in a career spanning 13 years. He scored 8,007 runs at an average of 32.40.

He also led New Zealand to 98 victories, including captaining the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy-winning side in Kenya.

“I am fully committed to the Black Caps and New Zealand Cricket but feel that the time is right for me to retire from the one-day game,” Fleming said.

“While I would have wished to remain captain of the Test team, I can also understand why the selectors prefer to have a single captain for the Test, one-day and Twenty20 teams.”

Vettori had originally been named as skipper of the one-day and Twenty20 sides but will now take charge of the Test team when New Zealand tour South Africa in October.

Stephen Fleming has called time on his distinguished ODI career © Getty Images

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Fleming insisted he will do everything he can to help the 28-year-old when they take on the Proteas, while also hinting that he could retire from all cricket at the end of 2008.

"I hold Daniel Vettori in high regard and will support him fully in his transition as Test captain,” Fleming added.

“The tour to South Africa will be a real challenge. No New Zealand team has ever won a Test series there and I am looking forward to the tour.

“I shall continue playing Tests as long as I have the desire and skills required to contribute.

“However, it is likely that the coming New Zealand summer will be my last home series.”

However, New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan is keen for Fleming to continue his role as an integral part of the New Zealand Test team.

“Stephen is currently our leading Test batsman and we hope he will play a significant role for the Black Caps for many series to come,” Vaughan said.

“It will obviously be a major step for Stephen to play in a non-captaincy role.

“For him to accept the selectors’ decision graciously and to remain committed to New Zealand Cricket is a true measure of his character.”

But Vaughan is in no doubt they have selected the right man in Vettori to take New Zealand forward.

He added: “Daniel has demonstrated real leadership during his time with the Black Caps and, through his occasional performances as one-day captain, has shown he is ready to take over captaincy of the Black Caps in all forms of the game.”