Fleming open to Black Caps T20 job
Stephen Fleming is open to the idea of providing Twenty20 coaching expertise for the Black Caps, even if it’s just an informal, fresh voice.
New Black Caps coach Gary Stead indicated at his introductory press conference this month that he could bring in additional T20 coaching firepower to offer valuable insight in cricket’s shortest version.
Former New Zealand standouts Fleming, Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori, who have all had high profile roles at T20 club level, were mentioned by Stead as potential options.
Fleming, who coaches the Melbourne Stars and this year’s Indian Premier League champions the Chennai Super Kings in global T20 leagues, had talked informally with Stead and wouldn’t rule anything out.
‘‘My offer is open and it doesn’t have to be a formal role, Fleming said.
‘‘It’s more on passing on IP [intellectual property] that I’ve picked up through tournaments . . . I would like to think there’s a number of voices Gary could turn to if the team needed or wanted that help.’’
Former Black Caps skipper Fleming was at yesterday’s launch for the January 25 clash of the codes T20 match at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.
Fleming, who conceived the idea, along with Duco Events director David Higgins, is the coach and selector for Team Cricket, who will take on a bunch of past-and-present All Blacks in Team Rugby.
His T20 coaching commitments in Australia and India could make it difficult to commit long-term to a T20 coaching position with the Black Caps.
Whether schedules aligned and he offered what Stead and the Black Caps were looking for in their T20 environment, would be critical.
‘‘It depends on when and what it looked like. We play so few T20s. It would have be worth it.
‘‘If it’s one or two games, you’re better off boxing on as it is.’’
New Zealand will compete in the 2020 ICC World Twenty20 in Australia, which is scheduled for October-November in a gap on the T20 tournament calendar.
Fleming said his involvement could be as simple as offering a sounding board for players leading into the tournament.
‘‘If those discussions come up we’ll certainly look at it.
‘‘I’m very proud of this team and I’ll certainly do what I can to help.’’
Fleming and Stead played in a dominant Canterbury domestic team for many years before he switched to Wellington.
He praised Stead’s appointment and believed the gritty and tenacious attitude he showed as a top order batsman would cross over to coaching New Zealand.
Stead has worked his way through the coaching ranks, mentoring the Canterbury and New Zealand women, before enjoying strong results with the Canterbury men.
‘‘He was a great guy to play with and a very good team-mate,’’ Fleming said.
‘‘The relationship between [captain] Kane [Williamson] and Gary is the most important one to develop and if they get on pretty well, hopefully they’ll take the team even further forward.’’
Fleming believed New Zealand were well placed nine months out from the 50-over World Cup in England and Wales.
With the World Cup likely the major pinnacle event for several members of the side, Fleming expected them to perform strongly on seam-friendly wickets, which should suit them.
If hard-hitting openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro ran into form at the right time and were productive, New Zealand could post some large scores, he said.
Williamson and Ross Taylor gave the side two tremendous anchors at the top of the order, while experienced pacemen Tim Southee and Trent Boult would be influential with the ball.
‘‘I’m really proud of this group. They’ve done some really great things in the last few years. I have high hopes if they get guys in form.
‘‘It’s certainly one of the most talented groups we’ve put together.’’