Richard Boock: Thankfully his voice broke

COMMENT


Stephen Fleming once considered a career as a guitar-stomping, chicken-biting rock star, before his voice broke and he was forced to settle for life as a cricketer.

The lanky youth had apparently become quite proficient on the air guitar when hormones conspired to scuttle his plan, and sent him striding down the path that led to international cricketing fame.

Already New Zealand's most successful captain, Fleming added more feathers to his cap this week when he not only became the country's most capped test player, but also their highest test run-scorer.

It was the continuation of a golden couple of seasons for the 31-year-old, who overhauled his batting technique three years ago and has been reaping the considerable rewards since.

Lest we forget, there was his watershed century at Perth in 2001 followed by the 130 at Barbados, the epic 274 not out at Colombo, the 192 against Pakistan last season, and this year's highlights - 97 at Leeds, 117 at Nottingham, and his 202 at Chittagong.

In fact, since the third test at Perth the man who once held the world record for the worst 50-100 conversion rate, has averaged close to 43 in tests, while scoring six centuries and four half-centuries.

His rejuvenation started after he became frustrated at his inconsistency and limitations, and opted to rebuild his batting technique to find better balance at the crease, and more efficiency in terms of shot-making.

The differences now are most notable in his stance, where he stands taller and has his bat raised but not cocked, and in the way he plays the ball extremely late, with small but precise movements of the feet.

He also has maturity and experience on his side, having spent the past decade playing at test level, and is showing all the signs of someone who has finally become comfortable with his level, not to mention his consistency, of performance.

The air of contentment is also evident in his private life, underpinned by a four-year-long relationship with partner Kelly Payne, who lives with Fleming in a stylish villa in the Wellington suburb of Wadestown.

There, the couple take refuge from the ongoing pressures of professional sport, are entertained by their pedigree Burmese cats Chilli and Pepper, and savour the delights of a world without cricket.

Incidentally, there is no grass at Fleming's house, a throwback to the days when one of his weekly chores was to mow the huge lawn at his family's home in Christchurch, where he grew up with his mother and a gaggle of aunts.

But he's destined to see quite enough of the stuff over the next few years as he closes in on becoming the first New Zealander to play 100 tests, and chases Martin Crowe's record of 17 centuries.

As it is, Fleming has eight after his 87th test and, if his rate of success is any guide, could realistically double his effort over the next two or three years. Which wouldn't be a bad effort for a wannabe rock star who lost his voice.