Cricket: Fleming dismisses walking 'crusade'

By RICHARD BOOCK in Brisbane

Stephen Fleming is sticking to his guns on the issue of walking after another controversy flared during New Zealand's lacklustre capitulation against Australia.

Crushed by an innings and 156 runs after their second innings folded in the space of about three hours yesterday, New Zealand were in no mood to make concessions on a supposed Australian "gentleman's pact", following an altercation involving Craig McMillan.

Dismissed for a paltry 76, the 12th lowest innings total in their test history, New Zealand's plan of extending Australia into the fifth day never came to fruition; the hosts winding up the contest shortly before tea last night.

New Zealand had fought hard for the opening couple of days, but were effectively beaten on Saturday when Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist struck counter-attacking centuries, and then Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie added 114 for the final wicket.

When they finally had a chance to bat again, New Zealand were trailing by 232 and the only viable option left in terms of saving the game was to bat for two days, something they fell well short of as Australia turned on the blowtorch.

They lost Mark Richardson, Mathew Sinclair, Fleming and Scott Styris before lunch and found the going just as tough afterwards, the last six wickets falling for a mere 34 runs to ensure both teams would have a day off.

However, by far the most controversial incident occurred when McMillan was caught at the wicket off Jason Gillespie, was given not out by umpire Steve Bucknor, and then became involved in what appeared to be a slanging match with Australian wicketkeeper Gilchrist.

To make matters worse for McMillan, he was adjudged lbw to Gillespie's next delivery and left the arena to a cacophony of Australian hoots and hollers, and was seen in an animated discussion with Gilchrist after the game.

Speaking about Australia's stance on walking and claimed catches, Fleming said he had discussed the issue with his Australian counterpart Ricky Ponting before the test and after the first day, and had made it clear that he would not be party to an agreement.

"When you've got one or two players on a crusade, it places pressure on people in terms of whether they choose to walk or not," said Fleming.

"We all like to see the game played in the best spirit but if some individuals choose not to, which is their right, then so be it. We have to respect that."

Fleming said he was anxious that the dispute between the two players had been resolved, and was told by McMillan that the difference of opinion was "sorted out" during the conversation after the end of the game.

"I'm not going to make a blanket rule for my side that they must walk under certain circumstances, or must obey someone's idea of the spirit of the game every time they walk out there", said Fleming. "It's still international sport, some guys are playing for their livelihoods, and when it comes to catches, some guys just genuinely don't know."

Ponting said playing New Zealand was always a tough game and that it wasn't out of the ordinary for his side to let an opposition batsman know their thoughts if he stood his ground after being caught.

However, he insisted that just because Gilchrist had stated his intention to always walk, neither the Australian keeper nor the rest of his team-mates expected anyone else to.

"We've got one player in our side who's come out and said he's going to be a walker now," said Ponting. "But that certainly isn't supposed to place extra pressure on opposition players. They've got to make their own minds up.

"Gilly's put his hand up as a walker but he doesn't expect anyone in our team to walk, and neither does he expect the opposition to walk."

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