Cricket: Fleming's leadership is critical element

By RICHARD BOOCK

If this year's World Cup was to include a category for Most Resourceful Leader, New Zealand's Stephen Fleming would surely rate an early nomination.

The captain who was on the point of falling on his sword the last time New Zealand played Zimbabwe will walk out onto Goodyear Park tomorrow night as a changed man, and arguably as the most effective skipper left in the Super Six.

Not only has his batting proved a breath of fresh air over here, but his leadership has been composed and alert, a factor that has played a vital role in New Zealand's negotiating their most difficult first-round draw in World Cup history.

It said something of Fleming's character that he was able to cope with the pressure and lead his side to Super Six safety, given that a second loss after Sri Lanka would have left New Zealand languishing near the bottom of pool B, and facing near-certain elimination.

The most experienced captain left in the Super Six, Fleming has stood at the helm in 134 one-day internationals and has fashioned a 43.25 per cent win record (54/74), including leading his side to the ICC Knockout Trophy in 2000.

A skipper who does his homework, he's regarded as one of the best-prepared strategists in the game, making a habit of identifying and exploiting opponents' weaknesses while, at the same time, making the most of his own players' abilities.

This was never more evident than in the tri-series in Australia last summer when he regularly out-foxed players such as Damien Martyn and Ricky Ponting, and at home this season when he led his side to an astonishing series win over India.

Possibly the best aspect of his performance at this tournament is that he is looking in especially good batting touch as well, a development which is certain to boost his sense of self-belief, especially after the century against South Africa.

Fleming says he feels like he is on the cusp of something special.

"The changes I've made technically are giving me a lot more confidence and everything feels very good. It's not only making a difference for me, it's making a difference in terms of our entire batting unit."

SIX OF THE BEST

Some of the leaders in the Super Six round have achieved incredible results with limited resources

STEPHEN FLEMING - NEW ZEALAND

Age: 29. 134 ODIs (as captain), 54/74 (43.25 per cent)

RICKY PONTING - AUSTRALIA

Age: 28. 32 ODIs (as captain) 25 wins/5 losses (82.26 per cent)

The first Tasmanian to be appointed to the Australian captaincy when chosen as Steve Waugh's ODI replacement early last year, Ponting has hardly missed a beat in the changeover, although elimination from last season's home tri-series will always rate as a low point.

Facing a difficult assignment after the tenure of Waugh, Ponting has led Australia to success in this summer's home tri-series and has proved especially effective at this tournament, steering his side to pole position in the race for the semifinals.

There have been a couple of distractions as well, not least Shane Warne's suspension for taking a banned drug, Darren Lehman's racial abuse and Jason Gillespie's withdrawal through injury, but Ponting has stayed focussed.

For all that, his success as captain has a lot to do with his side's talent, just as Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd fashioned impressive records with the halcyon sides of the late 1970s and 1980s.

SOURAV GANGULY - INDIA

Age: 30. 95 ODIs (as captain) 50/42 (54.35 per cent)

It's hard to decide what to make of Ganguly after his nightmare tour to New Zealand and the slow start to this tournament.

After securing five away test wins he is now regarded as his country's most successful skipper, although it was a difficult label for Kiwi fans to accept as he steered his team from one disaster to another in New Zealand.

Probably the best left-handed batsman in India history, he appears completely different to his coach John Wright, who tends to emphasise the need for grit and fight in his team, two qualities that Ganguly has unfortunately yet to discover.

Yet nothing can boost the spirits more than success, and Ganguly would have noticed that after his side romped to a win over Pakistan last week, to the extent that India now look a strong candidate to progress through to the semis and beyond.

SANATH JAYASURIYA - SRI LANKA

Age: 33. 111 ODIs (as captain), 64/42 (60.19 per cent)

The elder statesman of the Super Six captains, Jayasuriya has already performed something of a minor miracle at this tournament, considering that only recently Sri Lanka were being destroyed in both Australia and South Africa.

Regarded as cricket's most famous Buddhist, he is reported to be a mild-mannered man who rules through consensus, although at times he looks terse if things are not going to plan.

His ability to draw this varied bunch into an effective unit speaks volumes of his mental strength and tactical acumen, as the side only have three or four genuine match-influencing players.

One of the most explosive opening batsmen in world cricket today, Jayasuriya is determined to emulate Arjuna Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to a famous win in the 1996 World Cup final against Australia.

HEATH STREAK - ZIMBABWE

Age: 28. 39 ODIs (as captain), 11/127 (28.95 per cent)

Streak is another captain who has over-achieved considering his meagre pool of talent, although he insists his side will not be out-classed when they begin the Super Six against New Zealand tomorrow.

He has a match-winner in world-class opening batsman Andy Flower but otherwise directs a side full of journeymen, making his side's second consecutive Super Six qualification another momentous occasion.

Streak, who three summers ago blasted the six that gave Zimbabwe their first series win over New Zealand in New Zealand, understands how to make the most of his resources, mostly because he knows his players well.

He is acutely aware of what's needed in terms of the development of Zimbabwean cricket, and dismisses talk that his side's presence in the second round would detract from the spectacle.

"We challenged the Australians really closely when they played here so we hope we can prove to everyone that we deserve to be there."

STEVE TIKOLO - KENYA

Age: 31. 15 ODIs (as captain), 4/11 (26.67 per cent)

As spokesman for one of the developing teams in world cricket, Tikolo occasionally has to play administrator. He pulled off a stunning achievement this week by leading his side through to the Super Six, a feat no other side without test status has managed in eight tournaments.

The qualification was due in equal amounts to New Zealand's forfeit and a startling upset over Sri Lanka, leaving Tikolo and his team heroes in a soccer-mad nation.

Demonstrating the courage he is known for on the field, Tikolo hit out at the country's cricket establishment, saying the game had to spread beyond Nairobi. He added that some administrators had been in the job too long, and did not respect the players.

World Cup schedule

Points table