"They now believe they're one of the best sides in the world. It's a bit like the All Blacks' model where they've got some of the world's best in key spots and feel they can be competitive against any opposition."
Fleming is involved in a number of commercial ventures but keeps a link to the cricket fraternity as coach of the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. He is steeped in the sport's politics and said regardless of today's result, the future of New Zealand Cricket's commercial revenue and on-field success were inevitable because of the kudos earned with the sport's Big Three - India, England and Australia.
"[In New Zealand] we can't fill grounds all the time and our timezone can't demand big TV rights. We get a good share but there are a number of handicaps. What we can change is being competitive and making ourselves attractive for teams to play. That way two tests in England become three to four and the same will happen in Australia and India.
"Our team was missing consistency and we've addressed that. I know it's hard to look past the World Cup but we're going to have a good team for four to five years. These guys aren't going to suddenly retire. One or two might but, come win or loss in the World Cup, the trend should be getting better."
Fleming has long fostered a mentor-friend relationship with McCullum since his playing days.
"He's experienced some phenomenal growth [in the captaincy role]. We talked about the style he wanted early on, but since then it's been his relationship with Hess [coach Mike Hesson] that's developed. I love talking to him about the game, but it's more as a mate. I can tell him what to do in Chennai [McCullum plays for Fleming's CSK] but the other 10 months of the year he can tell me where to go."
Fleming said apart from a brief stint as a commentator, today is the first time he has attended an international match as a spectator since his 2008 test retirement.
Boundaries 'ridiculous'
Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has described Eden Park's boundaries as "ridiculous" and creating a "lottery" before today's World Cup game, but little can be done to extend them for future fixtures, including the March 24 semifinal.
The venue's pitch was moved 45 degrees to a north-south axis after Australia's last visit in 2010.
After accommodating the safety distance between rope and stand, the boundaries measure 64m straight and 63m to each side. That means anything played in the reverse 'V' from fine leg to third man has to travel only about 44m for six.
Eden Park does not meet International Cricket Council requirements but is exempt as a ground already in use.
Fleming said captains have to motivate their bowlers to endure. "I think there's a feeling 10 overs for 80 [runs] could be pretty good. A par score could be 400. Ridiculous boundaries make it a lottery. The subtlety of spinners is lost because a mishit could go for six. It becomes a slog out and, as a captain, you've just got to show belief and keep trying."
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