SAD EXIT: New Zealand's long-standing skipper Stephen Fleming has decided to call it quits in ODIs after the WC semifinal defeat. — Photo: AFP

Kingston: Tuesday's semifinal defeat was Stephen Fleming's last ODI as New Zealand captain.

Fleming announced he will step down, bringing to end more than a decade in charge. He will continue to be available for selection in one-dayers as a specialist batsman.

"I would still like to captain the Test side," said Fleming. "I'd like to create some energy in Test cricket. I only just turned 34, so I'd like to continue playing one-day cricket. In some ways, your energy levels are sapped when you captain a side. I can play with a fresh mind and put up the stats."

Shaping the side

Fleming took over from Lee Germon with the Turner-Germon period in decay. He shaped New Zealand along his lines: attacking, combative, intelligent, but without fuss.

Fleming said the succession plan had been in place for a while so it didn't interfere with the preparation for the World Cup. "It's been mapped out," he said. "I'd still like to be doing it. But a professional point of view demands some fresh ideas; 218 games as captain is a long time."

Vettori to take over?

Who did he see fit to replace him? "The way we've groomed Daniel Vettori, he'll come into the picture. But, it's going to be a shake-up in New Zealand cricket. I don't know what John (Bracewell) the coach is doing, so it's a little presumptuous to recommend Daniel. But, he's done a good job when given the opportunity."

Fleming said the idea of separate captains in Tests and ODIs wasn't untenable.

"It's something I've thought long and hard about," he said. "In some ways, it's the right way to go about it. Before being given the reins of the Test side, he'd have had the reins of the one-day side, so he won't be thrown into the deep end. It will come down to attitude."

Fleming showed why he's regarded as a cerebral captain when asked what his finest moments in his reign were.

Subtleties

"It's the little subtleties that go with captaincy — I've fended off the media for ten years," he said. "But, it's the little subtleties when you work a player out. That's what I derive my pleasure from."

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene paid rich tribute: "Stephen has been a great leader of New Zealand in the last ten years, He's been captaining since before I came into the game. You can learn from him.

He's a very attacking captain, and with the resources he has had, he's made them a very decent team. But, I'm sure he'll continue to play. He's been one of the top captains in the last ten years."

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