Cricket: Fleming may be set to slog at No 5

Stephen Fleming

QUEENSTOWN - Stephen Fleming is saddling up for a journey into unchartered territory, apparently at the behest of an increasingly demanding selection panel.

As the search continues for vital information before next year's World Cup campaign, the New Zealand captain has confirmed the possibility of a shift down to No 5 or 6 in a bid to re-stabilise the middle and lower order.

Fleming said yesterday that the move might not happen during today's second one-day international against the West Indies at Queenstown, but agreed that an appearance down the order was an option before the end of the series.

The suggestion of a switch follows Fleming's impressive contribution at 3 at the Cake Tin last Saturday, when he was one of the few New Zealanders able to capitalise on a record opening stand, cracking 55 off just 48 balls.

The contribution was a surprise to some, as Fleming had previously been regarded as something of a top-order specialist, a batsman more adept at building foundations than providing the mid-innings thrust.

"I enjoyed my role the other day and yes, we can explore going further down [the order]," he said.

"Certainly I know what I can do at the top, so developing other skills later in the order, maybe at five, is something we may see during the series."

The possibility of a career-change for the New Zealand skipper is the latest in a series of fact-finding missions embarked upon by coach John Bracewell this season, not least the axing of Chris Cairns, the dropping of Nathan Astle and the omission last weekend of in-form batsman Lou Vincent.

Scott Styris this week touched on the resulting pressure being felt by squad members, and Fleming echoed some of those sentiments yesterday, while reinforcing that he too was at the mercy of the selectors.

"Obviously there are directives from the selectors in terms of what they want to see for the growth of the side, and I guess it's a matter of marrying those with the priority of winning the series well," he said.

"So there could be a bit of change. Dan [Vettori] and I will sit down with John at the end of practice and nut out the plans."

Asked whether he was comfortable with the idea of straying from "the win at all costs" concept, and with the notion of experimenting with players and tactics during full internationals, Fleming said he had mixed feelings.

"From my point of view it's not [ideal], but I think John and the selectors are looking at the longer term to grow and develop guys.

"That's not my concern; mine is to win games with the team I'm given.

"While we're doing that, it's fine. But there's certainly a lot of pressure on and it's not necessarily comfortable.

"I've got to drive winning performances otherwise my neck along with everybody else's goes on the line."

The biggest issue surrounding New Zealand's line-up today again involves the balance of the side, and the question of which specialist batsman will be omitted to make room for six bowling options.

Vincent missed the cut in Wellington and could be unlucky again today, as could fellow specialists Peter Fulton, Hamish Marshall or even Jamie How - despite his charmed run to date.

The mystery might be partly solved this morning if paceman Michael Mason fails to pass a fitness test on his side strain, but even then a batsman would have to be relegated to supersub duties to create the space for adequate bowling cover.

As for the opposition, Fleming said his team understood the need to build on the first win and foster some series-winning momentum.

"We want to keep them out of the game and play good cricket ourselves," he said.

"Another win now and we'll move to Christchurch looking to win the series."

* Second ODI Queenstown

Live on Sky Sport 1 from 10am

New Zealand: (from) Stephen Fleming (c), Nathan Astle, Lou Vincent, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Peter Fulton, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Jeetan Patel, James Franklin, Michael Mason, Shane Bond.

West Indies (from): Shivnarine Chanderpaul (c), Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Runako Morton, Wavell Hinds, Dwayne Smith, Denesh Ramdin, Ian Bradshaw, Deighton Butler, Jerome Taylor, Rawl Lewis, Fidel Edwards.

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (South Africa), Brent Bowden (New Zealand).