Cricket: Australians toss up an odd ball

Former Australian test great Steve Waugh has floated the idea that New Zealand might be more dangerous without Stephen Fleming than with him.

The man who, more than any other, helped restore Australia's reputation as the best cricket team in the world, suggested yesterday there could be a silver lining for the tourists if Fleming missed the first test at Brisbane.

Fleming has been housebound in Wellington this week after contracting a mystery virus, but is hoping to be well enough for the first test in Brisbane, starting next Thursday.

While Waugh said there was no doubting Fleming's ability with the bat, the idea of changing a long-running captaincy often added vibrancy and energy to a side and encouraged less senior players to take more responsibility.

"He's a pillar of strength and a very good captain, but in some ways it may be a positive because they may get a new captain with different ideas," he said.

"When you've been a captain for seven or eight years, as he has, it's a long time to play the same way."

The 168-test veteran suggested that Australia's challenge could even become more complicated if Fleming was ruled out.

"Maybe that will get them playing a different way and that might be a positive," he said. "I don't see it as being all negative. You have to look beyond that.

"We may see a player develop under that other captain. They will be concerned, but in some ways it may do them a favour."

However, the straight-talking Waugh was in no mood to entertain the pre-emptive strike from New Zealand batsman Mark Richardson, who earlier dismissed the Bangladesh tour as inadequate preparation for Australia.

"That's a typical New Zealand comment before a test series - playing down their chances and the underdog thing," Waugh said. "They love that sort of role.

"But everyone knows when they get out here against Australia, they'll lift. They've done that in the past, and I don't believe for a minute they will be under-prepared."

Waugh said if history was any gauge, New Zealand would have left no stone unturned. "They would have identified the series probably 18 months to two years ago as the one they want to lift for."