Cricket: Fleming slams schedule of back-to-back one-dayers

1.00pm - By MARK GEENTY

MANCHESTER - New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming has called for back-to-back one-day matches to be banished from the international calendar.

New Zealand and the West Indies both have to play matches on consecutive days during the current NatWest series which opened with a washout between Fleming's side and England here today.

The West Indies have a tough start to their campaign with matches against New Zealand on Saturday in Birmingham and England in Nottingham on Sunday.

New Zealand's double header is the following weekend, against the West Indies in Cardiff on the Saturday and England in nearby Bristol the following day.

England have escaped any double headers, not surprisingly in their own tournament, and Fleming admitted he was cold on the idea.

"I'm not happy with back-to-back games, I've strongly stated that for some time," Fleming said.

"It's happening in this tournament, so be it, now's not the time to complain.

"On principle, looking further ahead, I don't think they should play a part because I don't think it's realistic to expect high class performances during a whole weekend.

"I'm strongly in favour of having at least one day between games, even three days, just to make sure the paying public get a chance to see athletes at their best.

"They've had a big day the day before. Having to turn up the next day and repeat that can be quite tough over 100 overs."

In a tune from a different songsheet, New Zealand coach John Bracewell yesterday said double headers were a good test of his side's fortitude.

"The draw doesn't worry me. I think the harder the draw, the better, this far out from a World Cup (in 2007)," Bracewell said.

"This way, you learn more about your players and about your preparation. Being shifted across the country, having back-to-back matches, is quite healthy for our learning."

New Zealand's previous double header was a disaster, in St Lucia on the 2002 tour of the West Indies.

They lost by six wickets defending 248 on the first day, then lost by seven wickets defending just 210 the next day.

- NZPA