Cricket: Fleming finds positive side

By RICHARD BOOCK

Stephen Fleming, having been handed a different bowling attack for each of the five cricket tests already played this season, has been presented with yet another combination for the Boxing Day showdown against Zimbabwe.

Injuries and some indifferent form have meant the New Zealand captain has worked with a procession of bowlers so far this summer, and the selection of James Franklin will continue the trend at the Basin Reserve next week.

The Wellington left-armer, who seems likely to play given New Zealand's inexperienced pace attack, has been preferred to the comeback claims of Simon Doull, and an apparently strong bid from provincial workhorse Warren Wisneski.

The promotion also suggests Sir Richard Hadlee's panel has decided to let South African tourist Daryl Tuffey regain some form in domestic cricket, and has not yet been completely convinced about the fitness of Kerry Walmsley.

"You've got to look at it as an exciting time for our cricket," Fleming said.

"There's been a bit of change but James is an exciting prospect; he's got an easy style, a very good attitude behind him and the numbers to back him up.

"And if you were looking for the right time to introduce or blood a new player, then I guess a test against Zimbabwe would be as good as any."

Franklin, 20, has been a regular at New Zealand Cricket's academy since attending a high-performance pace bowling clinic in 1998. He represented New Zealand in the youth World Cup the same year.

"We are impressed with Franklin's form in domestic cricket so far this season and he performed very well with the Academy side to India during the off-season," said Hadlee.

"Some say that he is a better batsman than bowler, but we like both options and think he has strong potential as a top-class allrounder for the future."

Rated by Hadlee as a superior player to himself at the same age, Franklin emerged as the only surprise in the 12-strong side.

He has played only 11 first-class games, with a highest score of 41 and 27 wickets, but has long been earmarked for higher honours.

"Last night when I found out I turned to mum [Monica] and said 'I need to go for a walk'," Franklin said.

"I was stunned - I still am, it is all very bizarre. I've been concerned at holding on to my Wellington place, now I'm in the New Zealand test 12."

In his thoughts were eldest sister Rebecca, who was killed in a car crash on Christmas Eve 1992.

She and four friends from Massey University were travelling home from Napier to spend Christmas with their families when they were hit head-on by a drunk driver.

"It was such a tragic time so this has really come at the right time, it's a super bonus for us," Franklin's mother, Monica, said yesterday.

The other changes to the side which played the third test against South Africa at Johannesburg were the expected recall of Paul Wiseman and Matt Horne, both of whom have recovered from injury.

Horne, with three test centuries under his belt, was the obvious choice to partner Mark Richardson at the top of the order, despite some solid form from Gary Stead and Matthew Bell.

And Wiseman was quickly restored to the line-up after demonstrating that he had recovered from his ankle strain.

Fleming, whose captaincy was under review when he arrived back from the four month-long African tour, has since received endorsements from both Hadlee and coach David Trist, and is keen to begin the home programme with a win against Zimbabwe.

' "It was healthy to have a good debrief with NZC and for people to talk openly, which allowed everyone to understand where everyone else was coming from.

"It's never been done before but I think this in an exercise which should be repeated, because it clears the air and promotes greater understanding."

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