Cricket: Fleming's health still in doubt

Stephen Fleming is still feeling the effects of an ealier illness

As if New Zealand's slow death in the second test has not been bad enough, doubt still remains over the health and fitness of captain Stephen Fleming.

Laid low by a virus at the start of the tour, Fleming was off the pace in the first test at Brisbane but provided New Zealand's main hope of subduing Australia in the second yesterday before being caught at the wicket for a brave 83.

It was a sweet-and-sour type of innings from the tall left-hander; the sort of knock that carried great promise while ending far too prematurely for his team's sake, leading to another domino-like collapse from the New Zealand middle order.

On a day in which New Zealand's short tour of Australia went from bad to worse, Fleming resumed as his side's greatest hope and managed to negotiate the first session without great alarm - possibly the first session the hosts haven't won since midway through the opening test.

But Fleming later succumbed to a quality piece of bowling from Glenn McGrath, at which point the wheels came off New Zealand's first innings and he was soon followed by Nathan Astle, Jacob Oram and Brendon McCullum.

The method of dismissal was interesting too, given that Fleming set off towards the hutch before umpire Steve Bucknor made a decision, no doubt raising more questions about the issue of walking, and the so-called spirit of the game.

But as much as the innings signalled some sort of return to form for Fleming, it also reinforced doubts about his fitness, and it would be no surprise to find that he is still requiring injections and vitamin boosters to help with his energy levels.

From all accounts, the New Zealand skipper, who last week became just the fourth player to captain his side in 50 consecutive tests, is still feeling the effects of his depleted energy reserves and has been going to bed at about 8pm in an attempt to conserve his strength.

It was also claimed that he was sleeping before being required to bat late on Saturday afternoon, although it seemed more likely that he was merely resting his eyes and concentrating on the task ahead.

How any batsman could nod off to sleep with Mark Richardson and Mathew Sinclair in front of them is beyond comprehension.

Whatever his state, Fleming went to stumps on Saturday evening unbeaten on 38 and yesterday brought up his 36th test 50, before becoming tied down by the Australian game-plan.