WELLINGTON, July 15: Stephen Fleming firmly rejected suggestions his captaincy was down on its "normal impeccable" standard during Test series whitewash against England.
He copped criticism at home and in England for what some saw as muted displays in Test series, and feeling was only reinforced when he was seen manipulating matters at his brilliant best in one-dayers.
Fleming took umbrage on the matter, saying it was impossible to implement plans when his test bowling attacks were leaking runs at such a high rate. "I don't think captaincy was that bad, you are handicapped by the way team goes - you live by fluctuations of team," he said.
"I was up for this Test series more than anything, it was just frustrating we couldn't apply enough pressure. They were scoring too quickly. Shane Bond was a big loss, he may have been able to cancel out (Stephen) Harmison."
Fleming did concede he was concerned about pattern of their five recent Test losses, which have all come about through a lack of penetration when defending reasonably substantial fourth-innings totals. Before 3-0 whitewash to England, New Zealand lost Tests at home last summer to Pakistan and South Africa.
"We can't brush it aside," he said. "Whether it was a skill factor or a mental factor in England was discussed at length on tour and will be discussed at length again now that we are home because there is a similar trait." He spoke enthusiastically about tackling Australia in Champions Trophy at the Oval in England on Sept 16. -Agencies
