September 13, 2007	Thursday	Sha'aban 30, 1428

WELLINGTON, Sept 12: New Zealand cricket authorities have dumped Stephen Fleming as Test captain in favour of one-day skipper Daniel Vettori.

Fleming announced at the same time he was retiring from One-day Internationals and indicated his Test career would likely soon draw to a close.

The 34-year-old, widely admired as one of the best skippers in world cricket, stepped down as one-day captain after this year’s World Cup but said he wanted to continue his decade-long reign as Test skipper.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said Fleming was New Zealand’s greatest ever captain but added it was time to look ahead.

“The selectors are looking to the future and have recommended that Daniel assume captaincy of the Test team as well as the one-day team,” he said.

There has been recent speculation Fleming might join the rebel Indian Cricket League but he said he remained committed to the New Zealand team, despite his decision to retire from One-day Internationals.

“While I would have wished to remain captain of the Test team, I can also understand why the selectors prefer to have a single captain for the Test, one-day and twenty20 teams,” Fleming said.

“I hold Daniel Vettori in high regard and will support him fully in his transition as Test captain. I shall continue playing Tests.”

—AFP