Stephen Fleming

Stephen Paul Fleming Template:Post-nominals (born 1 April 1973) is a cricket coach and former captain of the New Zealand national cricket team. He was a left-handed opening batter and an occasional right arm slow medium bowler. He is New Zealand's second-most capped Test cricketer with 111 appearances. He is also the team's longest-serving and most successful captain with 28 test victories and led the team to win the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy, the team's first International Cricket Council trophy. Fleming captained New Zealand in the first ever Twenty20 International against Australia in 2005.

Fleming retired from international cricket on 26 March 2008. He played in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League for Chennai Super Kings and became the team's coach in 2009. He is the team's current head coach and has coached them to five IPL and two Champions League T20 titles. He also serves as the head coach of other Super Kings franchises, Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 and Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket. He served as the coach of Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League from 2015 to 2019. Fleming was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to cricket, in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours.

Early and personal life

Fleming was born on 1 April 1973 in Christchurch to Pauline Fleming and Gary Kirk.<ref name="Cric">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Pauline raised him as a single mother, and he did not meet his father until he was 16. Fleming played rugby for Cashmere High like his father.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 9 May 2007, Fleming married his long-term partner Kelly Payne in a ceremony in Wellington. The couple have a daughter, born in 2006.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Domestic career

Fleming has played county cricket in England for Middlesex, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.<ref name="Cric"/> He captained Nottinghamshire to County Championship victory in 2005, their first Championship title in 18 years.<ref name="Not">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

International career

A left-handed batsman, Fleming made his test debut in March 1994 in the home series against India winning the Man of the Match award on debut after scoring 92.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made his ODI debut on 25 March 1994 in the first match of the ODI series that followed and scored an unbeaten 90.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In England's tour of New Zealand in 1996–97, he scored his maiden test century in the first test at Auckland.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the third Test of the series, he took over the captaincy from Lee Germon becoming New Zealand's youngest captain at 23 years and 321 days.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He led the New Zealand team to a bronze medal in the 1998 Commonwealth Games.<ref name="CG">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Stephen Fleming captain.jpg

Fleming adjusting the field at Nottinghamshire

Fleming led the team to win the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy, which was New Zealand's first ICC trophy.<ref name="KO">Template:Cite news</ref> Fleming became New Zealand's most successful test captain in September 2000 with a victory over Zimbabwe which was the 12th win under his captaincy overtaking Geoff Howarth and finished with 28 wins, the most by a New Zealand captain.<ref name="ODIC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Fleming's scored his best ODI score with an unbeaten 134 to help New Zealand beat hosts South Africa in the 2003 Cricket World Cup. Chasing a rain adjusted target of 229 off 39 overs, Fleming hit 134 off just 132 deliveries as New Zealand cruised to a 9-wicket victory.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In February 2005, Fleming captained New Zealand in the first ever Twenty20 International against Australia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the second Test between New Zealand and South Africa at Cape Town in April 2006, Fleming scored his 3rd Test double-century and became the first New Zealander to achieve this feat.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 25 October 2006, Fleming captained his country for the 194th time in an ODI overtaking Arjuna Ranatunga for most matches as a captain and finished with 218 games as a captain, a record which has since been eclipsed only by Ricky Ponting.<ref name="CO">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He captained the side in the 2007 World Cup and scored 353 runs at an average of 39.22, leading the team to the semi-finals.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 24 April 2007, Fleming resigned as captain in a post-match press conference held after the semi-Final defeat to Sri Lanka.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In September 2007, Fleming was replaced by Daniel Vettori as the New Zealand captain. Fleming confirmed his retirement from the New Zealand team at the end of England's 2008 tour of New Zealand to spend more time with his family, and to play for the Indian Premier League.<ref name=retire>Template:Cite news</ref> Fleming scored over 7000 runs in test cricket and took over 170 catches, the third highest Test aggregate for a non-wicket keeper.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Cric"/>

IPL career

Fleming was acquired by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for US$350,000 for the inaugural season of Indian Premier League.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He played just one season and scored 196 runs in ten matches with CSK finishing as runners-up.<ref name="IPL">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Post retirement

Fleming was appointed as the head coach of Chennai Super Kings in 2009 when he retired as a player.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Under his coaching, CSK won the 2010 season and qualified for Champions League Twenty20.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Chennai won the 2010 Champions league.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Fleming coached CSK to its second consecutive IPL title in 2011 and its second Champions League Twenty20 title in 2014.<ref name="CSK">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Following the two-year suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, two new franchises Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions were established for the 2016 Indian Premier League season. Supergiants appointed Fleming as the head coach.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Fleming returned to Chennai Super Kings for the 2018 season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Fleming coached CSK to its third IPL title in 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Fleming led CSK to the title again in 2021 and 2023 IPL.<ref name="CSK"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> CSK became the most successful IPL franchise with five title wins and ten final appearances during his stint as head coach.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was appointed as the head coach of other Super Kings franchises, Joburg Super Kings of SA20 in 2022 and Texas Super Kings of Major League Cricket in 2023.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Business interests

Fleming has been involved in setting up CricHQ with the company's CEO Simon Baker and former New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum. Fleming is one of the investors and a director in the company. In June 2015, the company raised US$10m from Singapore private equity firm Tembusu Partners.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Playing style

Fleming was an elegant left handed batter and played shots such as the flick off the pads, straight drive, cover drive and cut shots.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was also a prolific slip catcher and was particularly noted for his captaincy, having been praised by Shane Warne as the "best captain in world cricket".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Statistics

Centuries

Template:Anchor Fleming, a left-handed batsman, has made 17 centuries in international cricket Template:Endash nine in Test matches and eight in One Day Internationals Template:Endash and sits ninety-sixth in the list of century-makers in international cricket.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Test

citation

CitationClass=web }}</ref>	No.	Score	Opponent	Pos.	Inn.	Venue	Date	Result	Ref
1	129	Template:Cr	4	1	Eden Park, Auckland	Template:Dts	Drawn	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2	174*	Template:Cr	3	3	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	Template:Dts	Won	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
3	105	Template:Cr	4	1	WACA Ground, Perth	Template:Dts	Drawn	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
4	130	Template:Cr	3	1	Kensington Oval, Bridgetown	Template:Dts	Won	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
5	274*	Template:Cr	3	1	Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo	Template:Dts	Drawn	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
6	192	Template:Cr	3	1	Seddon Park, Hamilton	Template:Dts	Drawn	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
7	117	Template:Cr	2	1	Trent Bridge, Nottingham	Template:Dts	Lost	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
8	202	Template:Cr	3	1	M. A. Aziz Stadium, Chattogram	Template:Dts	Won	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
9	262	Template:Cr	3	1	Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town	Template:Dts	Drawn	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

ODI

citation

CitationClass=web }}</ref>	No.	Score	Opponent	Pos.	Venue	Date	Result	Ref
1	106*	Template:Cr	4	Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain	Template:Dts	Won	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2	116*	Template:Cr	4	Melbourne Cricket Ground	Template:Dts	Won	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
3	111*	Template:Cr	4	McLean Park, Napier	Template:Dts	Won	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
4	134*	Template:Cr	2	New Wanderers, Johannesburg	Template:Dts	Won (D/L)	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
5	115*	Template:Cr	2	Lancaster Park, Christchurch	Template:Dts	Won	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
6	108	Template:Cr	2	Lancaster Park, Christchurch	Template:Dts	Won	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
7	106	Template:Cr	2	Brisbane Cricket Ground	Template:Dts	Lost	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
8	102	Template:Cr	2	Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound	Template:Dts	Won	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Captaincy

Fleming had captained New Zealand in 303 matches including 80 Test matches, 218 ODIs and 5 T20Is, a New Zealand record and the third highest ever.<ref name="TestC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="ODIC"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

citation

CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Type	Matches	Won	Lost	Drawn	Tied	No result	Win %
Test	80	28	27	25	0	0	35.00
ODI	218	98	106	0	1	13	44.95
T20I	5	2	2	0	1	0	40.00

Records and achievements

Tests

• Most wins by a New Zealand captain (28)<ref name="CT"/>
• Second most number of matches as captain (80)<ref name="CT">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Third most runs for New Zealand (7172)<ref name="CTR">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Third most matches for New Zealand (111)<ref name="CTR"/>
• Most fifties for New Zealand (46)<ref name="CTR"/>

ODIs

• Most wins by a New Zealand captain (98)<ref name="CO"/>
• Second most number of matches as captain (218)<ref name="CO"/>
• Third most runs as captain (6295)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Most matches for New Zealand (279)<ref name="COR"/>
• Second most runs for New Zealand (8007)<ref name="COR">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Second most fifties for New Zealand (49)<ref name="COR"/>

Combined

• Third most international matches as captain (303)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• First non-wicket keeper to take 300 catches in international matches<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Honors

Fleming was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to cricket, in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Player

New Zealand

• ICC Champions Trophy: 2000<ref name="KO"/>
• Commonwealth Games: 1998 (Bronze)<ref name="CG"/>

Nottinghamshire

• County Championship: 2005<ref name="Not"/>

Coach

Chennai Super Kings

• Indian Premier League: 2010,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> 2011,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 2018,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 2021,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 2023<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Champions League: 2010,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> 2014<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Controversies

In 1995, Fleming was caught and admitted to smoking marijuana with teammates Matthew Hart and Dion Nash while on tour at their hotel.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>