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Untitled Document
 Fleming announces retirement from Test cricket
14th Feb 2008 14:00 IST
Agencies
Record-breaking former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming announced today that he will retire from international cricket after the third and final Test against England next month.
New Zealand's premier batsman believed it would be better for his family if he quit before the return tour to England in May and June.
Fleming, New Zealand's most experienced Test player and leading run-scorer, stepped away from one-day matches after last year's World Cup and said then that he would soon retire from all international cricket.
"The time is right for me and my family to do that now," Fleming told a press conference in Auckland.
"Retiring before the tour to England will allow me to be with (wife) Kelly for the birth of our second child and I'm excited about pursuing new business opportunities."
Fleming said he would also be available for the high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 competition slated to start in April.
Fleming leaves the international arena having played more Tests (108) than any other New Zealander, scored the most runs (6,875), taken the most catches (166), captained the most games (80), and led the most wins (28).
Throughout his stellar Test career, however, Fleming only scored nine centuries but compiled 43 half-centuries for a Test average of 39.73.
Fleming also played 280 one-day internationals since making his debut in 1994, and was captain 218 times. |
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