Cricket: Fleming in doubt for first test

By RICHARD BOOCK

A mystery bug has struck down Stephen Fleming on the eve of New Zealand's tour of Australia, raising concerns over his ongoing health - not to mention his availability for the first test at Brisbane.

The New Zealand captain was not with the last group of players who flew into Sydney last night to prepare for the four-day tour opener against New South Wales, and has yet to be cleared to play in the Gabba test, starting tomorrow week.

Herald sources report that Fleming has been suffering from chronic fatigue since returning from the test series in Bangladesh, and that blood tests have not yet identified the source of his complaints.

Concern has apparently been expressed that he might have picked up some type of exotic virus in Bangladesh, or even a malarial condition.

However, New Zealand Cricket were playing down the rumours last night, announcing that Fleming would remain in the country until Friday before joining up with the squad to prepare for the Brisbane test.

His initial absence means New Zealand will need to find a replacement captain for the match against New South Wales, starting tomorrow, and will heap more pressure on an already inconsistent batting line-up.

The most likely candidate for the captaincy is spin-bowler Daniel Vettori, who held the reins during the ODI series in Bangladesh, although allrounder Jacob Oram is also viewed as potential leadership material.

Fleming's defection should also mean an early challenge for fringe batsman Hamish Marshall, whose appearance at Brisbane depends on the configuration of New Zealand's bowling attack.

The news on Fleming was just what New Zealand supporters didn't need to hear yesterday.

The squad are already having to make do without injured pace bowlers Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey, and rookie opener Michael Papps.

Fleming has only occasionally been lowered by sub-continental illnesses during his career, his biggest recent concern coming from a groin complaint that ruled him out of last year's tour of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the Australian test selectors were also facing a dilemma last night after news that Darren Lehmann had recovered from the hamstring injury that forced him out of the fourth test against India.

Lehmann's availability means that the selection panel of Trevor Hohns, Alan Border, David Boon and Andrew Hilditch will probably have to make a call between him and rising star Michael Clarke - who struck a century against India on his test debut.

However, with spinner Shane Warne hoping to have recovered from his broken thumb, it could be that Hohns announces an enlarged squad of 13 for Brisbane, and waits until the 11th hour before making a final call.

"It might be too soon to get a proper assessment given that we haven't got much time before the side is selected," he said yesterday.

"We usually pick 12 players for Brisbane but, with the fitness issues, it may be that the squad is larger this time."

Warne said he was reasonably happy with his progress and was expecting to be fit to play at Brisbane.