Cricket: Fleming doubtful due to mystery illness

Stephen Fleming

Another year, another mystery illness for Stephen Fleming.

The New Zealand captain was yesterday deemed a doubtful starter for next month's Chappell-Hadlee series opener because of an undisclosed medical condition, and is off-limits to the media until further notice.

New Zealand Cricket stated in a press release that Fleming was in doubt because of a private medical matter, that no further comment would be offered, and that media should respect his privacy in the lead-up to the first ODI against Australia.

The news follows an initial setback for Fleming at this time last year, when he returned from the tour of Bangladesh with the symptoms of a malarial condition - extreme fatigue and tiredness, and an unpredictable tendency to fall asleep. Although malaria was eventually ruled out, the abiding memory of last November's test at Adelaide was the sight of Fleming apparently sound asleep as he waited to bat - astonishing given that Mathew Sinclair and Mark Richardson were at the wicket at the time.

The doubt over Fleming was the only unforeseen twist to the squad named yesterday by coach John Bracewell, who has opted for the extra batting insurance of James Marshall in an extended party of 14.

Bracewell confirmed that if Fleming was ruled out, vice-captain Daniel Vettori would take the reins, as he did during last season's ODI series in Bangladesh.

"I hope it won't happen, but if it does it'll do neither Dan nor the team any harm at all," Bracewell said last night. "Dan's been developing the leadership side of his game, he received a taste of the job in Bangladesh last season, and - given the situation now - we're pleased we took that step."

The good news for New Zealand supporters was that Bracewell was able to bring all-rounders Chris Cairns and Jacob Oram back into the fold after they both satisfied him of their fitness during the pre-season tournament at Lincoln.

Cairns was widely tipped to win a recall after increasing his work-rate over the past couple of months, and Oram received the nod after proving that he'd recovered from the groin-strain that marred his South African campaign.

"I'm completely satisfied that, given no more hiccups, both Chris and Jake will be able to contribute as full all-rounders; that is bat and bowl," said Bracewell.

Bracewell was full of praise for Cairns, who he said addressed all the issues pointed out when he was dropped in September, and had impressed with both form and attitude while striving to be reinstated.

The series begins in Auckland on December 3, followed by matches at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on December 7 and in Christchurch on December 10.

THE SQUAD

Stephen Fleming (c), Nathan Astle, Lou Vincent, Hamish Marshall, James Marshall, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Brendon McCullum, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, James Franklin, Shane Bond.