OTD | New Zealand’s former captain Stephen Fleming was born in 1973

On this day back in 1973, a true icon of cricket, Stephen Fleming was born. Fleming’s cricketing journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers as he has left an indelible mark on the game, not only for his country, New Zealand but for the sport in general.

A left-handed opening batter with a calm demeanour and elegant strokeplay, he quickly rose through the ranks, making his Test debut in 1994 at just 21 years of age. His temperament stood out as he won the award for the Player of the Match for making a solid 92 on debut. An ODI debut followed soon enough and he made that count as well, scoring a brilliant 80.

He became a vital cog in the Kiwi wheel and just a couple of years down the lane, he was appointed as the captain of the national side. In the process, he became the youngest ever captain of New Zealand and that was the start of a magnificent chapter in the country’s sporting history. His leadership qualities shone through and his first big achievement was leading the team to a bronze medal finish at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Fleming instilled a sense of belief and a winning mentality in his teammates and fostered a team environment built on camaraderie. His methods worked wonders as the Kiwis became a force to be reckoned with in quick time. Wins against established teams like India, England, and South Africa became more frequent during his reign.

One of his greatest achievements as captain was leading New Zealand to their first-ever major trophy, the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy. He is also New Zealand’s most successful Test captain, having led the side to 28 wins. Overall, he led the Kiwis in 80 Tests and 218 ODIs, which goes to show just how trustworthy he was.

Beyond his captaincy, Fleming’s cricketing achievements were equally commendable. He has a tally of 15209 runs in international cricket and that includes 17 centuries and 105 half-centuries.

Fleming’s impact extended beyond the boundaries of New Zealand cricket. He enjoyed successful stints playing county cricket in England and led Nottinghamshire to a title win in 2005, the team’s first win in 18 years. He was also a highly sought-after player in the early days of the Indian Premier League in which he played for the Chennai Super Kings. He retired from the game after the inaugural season and was quickly made the head coach of the franchise. Under his guidance, the Chennai Super Kings have become one of the most successful franchises in the world, winning the IPL five times. He also helped the team win the now-defunct Champions League T20 on two occasions. He also holds coaching positions with other Super Kings franchises around the world, another sign of his prowess.

In 2011, Fleming was awarded the Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to cricket. This recognition was a fitting tribute as he is arguably the greatest cricketer to have played for New Zealand.