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Daniel Vettori doubts any arm twisting will have a significant effect if Stephen Fleming's mind is fixed about when to depart international cricket.
The former New Zealand captain is understood to be preparing to retire from tests - he's already stepped down from ODI cricket - after the third international against England in Napier next month.
His original intention was thought to be stopping after the tour of England in May-June, which finishes with a test at Trent Bridge, where he played county cricket for Nottinghamshire for the past three years.
Vettori, who replaced Fleming as captain in all three forms of the game last year, knows his predecessor's strong-minded qualities.
"If you know Stephen, he doesn't get his arm twisted on too many things," Vettori said yesterday.
"Stephen has always been strong in his thoughts and decisions. I don't think it will be my place to try and twist his arm. It's his decision. We'd love to have him as long as we can."
Vettori spoke of Fleming's "instrumental" role in New Zealand's success in recent years, but also of the fact that life priorities change with age.
"People at 34 or 35 (Fleming is 35 on April 1) start reflecting on their careers and other things they may want to do. We'll just sit tight and wait for Stephen's decision," he added.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan confirmed last night that he was in discussions with Fleming over his future and when he would retire.
"We all know he's coming to the end of it. We are discussing exactly where he draws the line," Vaughan said.
"Obviously he's made a fantastic contribution."
Asked whether NZC would look to politely try to persuade Fleming to carry on to England, Vaughan said the key aspect in any talks with a senior player contemplating retirement was discussing their specific reasons for wanting to retire and whether they had fully considered the decision from all angles.
Vettori said the spinoff of senior players retiring - and New Zealand have had a clutch in the past couple of years - was the chance to blood new players.
"And the guys who've come in so far, like the Jesse Ryders and Tim Southees, do give me a lot of excitement for the future.
" ... it's not just going to be us rebuilding all the time, we've actually got players who can compete at international level," he added.
