Cricket: Atherton's claims about Black Caps under fire

1.00pm

Claims by Former England cricket captain Michael Atherton that Black Caps coach John Bracewell and Stephen Fleming are singing from a different hymn sheet have been dismissed by a camp insider.

Atherton first raised concerns about the Black Caps' leadership regime during the third test at Trent Bridge and he reinforced those claims at the weekend in a panel discussion conducted by Daily Telegraph cricket writer Scyld Berry.

Veteran all-rounder Chris Cairns was also part of the discussion group and while he dodged the question posed by Berry about Fleming's muted leadership, Atherton climbed in, suggesting Bracewell was cramping Fleming's previously successful style.

"It doesn't help to have a domineering coach (in Bracewell)," Atherton said.

"It's a recipe for disaster if a coach doesn't stay in the background. With a young and inexperienced side like Bangladesh it might be fine but Fleming has learnt how to run the ship as he wants to."

However, Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson, who was Bracewell's assistant in England until last week, said the comments had no foundation.

"Those remarks are the biggest load of crap I've heard in my whole life," Johnson said.

"Braces is not autocratic at all. He talks to Flem all the time and suggests things and they sort out tactics together.

"I was on the trip and what he's (Atherton) saying is a joke. Braces and Flem get on well together -- there is nothing in it."

Atherton felt compelled to make his judgment after watching the man many regard as the most innovative captain on the international circuit turn in unimaginative displays in the 3-0 whitewash.

Cairns' response to the question on Fleming's performance was barely relevant.

"He's had a wear-and-tear groin injury for the last year without a gap to get it fixed," was Cairns' reply.

- NZPA