CHRISTCHURCH, Feb 11: Stephen Fleming could conclude his Test career earlier than expected with the coming home series against England as a possible farewell for the ex-captain.

Fleming had been tipped to carry on until the return tour of England, which ends in June, however a report in the Herald on Sunday said that now seemed unlikely.

The paper said Fleming’s wife was expecting their second baby in June, which might contribute to an early call.

That would leave the selectors with more headaches ahead of the England trip, with their Test line-up already losing Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Shane Bond and the fringe players Craig McMillan and Hamish Marshall in the past 13 months.

Coach John Bracewell said it he was not worried if Fleming chose to call it a day in the third Test against England in Napier in March.

“My understanding was that Stephen wanted to go on and play the England series in England,” Bracewell told New Zealand Herald. “But it doesn’t surprise me and doesn’t particularly concern me.

“It’s always disappointing to lose experience, but it’s also an exciting time for selectors to pick and see the development of youngsters.

“The young men we’ve selected in this particular round so far have shown some great attributes for the international game. There are kids out there who want a crack,” Bracewell added.

Fleming’s leaving would mark the end of a significant era in New Zealand Test cricket, as he is the country’s most capped player, highest run scorer, longest serving captain and leading catcher.

Fleming held a similar collection of records in One-day Internationals when he ended his ODI career last year.—Agencies