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Daniel Vettori has been handed the New Zealand Test captaincy but Stephen Fleming will continue as a Test player, ending speculation that he would join the Indian Cricket League. Fleming announced he is retiring from one-day cricket and hinted that the approaching New Zealand summer would be his last as a Test player.

Vettori will take over the captaincy immediately, meaning he will be in charge for New Zealand’s two-Test tour of South Africa in November. Fleming said he remained fully committed to New Zealand Cricket (NZC) but realised the time had come to depart from the ODI scene.

“While I would have wished to remain captain of the Test team, I can also understand why the selectors prefer to have a single captain for the Test, one-day and Twenty20 teams,” Fleming said. “I hold Daniel Vettori in high regard and will support him fully in his transition as Test captain.

“The tour to South Africa will be a real challenge. No New Zealand team has ever won a Test series there and I am looking forward to the tour. I shall continue playing Tests as long as I have the desire and skills required to contribute. However, it is likely that the coming New Zealand summer will be my last home series.”

Justin Vaughan, NZC’s chief executive, said Fleming’s decision to graciously hand the reins to Vettori after a decade in charge was a measure of his character. “True leadership is more than just the title of captain,” Vaughan said.

“Stephen is a true professional. He cares about the team and I am sure he will be a big help to Daniel and remain a leader within the Black Caps. It is likely that this will be Stephen’s last home season [in the Test team] and we will ensure that it is memorable and befits our greatest ever captain.”

Source:Cricket News