Cricket: Fleming drops down order for Bangladesh series

1.00pm

The days of captain Stephen Fleming opening the batting for New Zealand in tests appear over.

Coach John Bracewell indicated yesterday that Fleming would bat at No 3 during next month's series against Bangladesh, ending a run of three tests when he has faced the new ball.

"Let's face it, we look far better when Stephen is at No 3," Bracewell said.

Fleming opened in all three tests in England in May-June, though the second and third tests were by default when Michael Papps broke a hand.

In the first test at Lord's, New Zealand omitted Papps to make way for Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle in the middle order.

Bracewell nailed his colours to the mast when stating that only Astle or the recalled Hamish Marshall would play against Bangladesh.

He is looking at using allrounder Jacob Oram at No 6 and playing both spinners Daniel Vettori and Paul Wiseman.

"Hamish and Astle are probably vying for one position," Bracewell told the Dominion Post.

That would leave a top six of Papps partnering Mark Richardson, followed by Fleming, Scott Styris, Astle or Marshall then Oram.

Marshall's chance to impress in Bangladesh will come in the three-day warmup match in Dhaka from October 14-16, but realistically he may not get to add to his one test cap until the tour to Australia in November.

"It will be nice to put that test cap back on -- if I get the opportunity," Marshall said.

"I'm a bit surprised to get in but I'm confident that I can do well. I like playing on the sub-continent, so that's exciting."

Marshall is undoubtedly sick of explaining why in five first class seasons he has yet to post a century.

"I haven't really pushed my case at domestic level but I do know that my one-day game is going pretty well.

"My one-day form has enabled me to understand my game pretty well. Over the years I've batted time and not scored that many runs but back then there was the fear of failure but that fear has gone now."

Bracewell's main selection headache in Bangladesh will be the composition of his pace bowling attack.

Ian Butler is expected to provide the thrust at the top with either Chris Martin or James Franklin to share the new ball with him.

Neither has set the world alight on New Zealand A's tour of South Africa but by virtue of his six wickets in the last test against England at Trent Bridge and his left-arm variety, Franklin may have his nose in front.

- NZPA