Stephen Fleming's timeline

The rise of the leader

Cricinfo staff

March 25, 2008

	The 2-1 series over England in 1999 was one of Stephen Fleming's greatest moments © Getty Images

1992

January

Hamilton

Makes his first-class debut for Canterbury at the age of 18 and is promptly removed by Richard de Groen without troubling the scorers.

1994

March

Hamilton

Gives a glimpse of his talent on Test debut against India, scoring 92 and earning the Man-of-the-Match award. Follows this just days later with 90 on his one-day international debut at Napier.

1994-95

South Africa

Is busted by team management for smoking marijuana on tour in South Africa, for which he is later fined the princely sum of $175.

1997

January

Auckland

In his 23rd Test he scores his first century when he makes 129 against England.

February

Christchurch

At 23 years and 319 days, becomes the youngest Test captain in New Zealand's history when he leads the side against England. He is initially standing in for Lee Germon, who cannot play due to a groin injury, but the position soon becomes permanent.

1999

February-March

Injury keeps him out of the home Test series against South Africa and Dion Nash takes over the captaincy. Nash's aggressive tactics win many fans and there are calls for Fleming to be sacked because of his more laid-back style. Fleming keeps the job and captains New Zealand in every Test for the next eight years.

2000

October 15

Nairobi

Leads New Zealand to their first triumph in a major tournament, winning the Champions Trophy final against India.

2001

March
Christchurch

Captains New Zealand for the 35th time in a Test match, breaking John Reid's record of leading the side 34 times.

2003

February-March

South Africa

Highlights his value as a one-day player when he is New Zealand's leading run-scorer at the World Cup with 321 at 45.85. Team success eludes his side, however, as they are knocked out in the Super Sixes.

	An emotional Stephen Fleming announces his retirement © Getty Images

2004

March 31

Fleming is named New Zealand's Cricketer of the Year after a season that includes his highest Test score - 274 not out against Sri Lanka - as well as a hefty 192 against Pakistan.

July 10

London

Leads his side to victory in the tri-series with West Indies and England. New Zealand cruise to a 107-run win in the final against West Indies and Fleming is named Player of the Series for his 254 runs at 50.80.

October

Chittagong

Continues his remarkable year with 202 against Bangladesh and in the process enters the record books as New Zealand's most capped Test player and their highest Test run-scorer, surpassing Martin Crowe's mark of 5444.

2005

September 17

Canterbury

Captains Nottinghamshire to their first County Championship title since 1987 with a comprehensive win over Kent. Fleming's form throughout the tournament is outstanding as he scores four centuries and finishes with 908 runs at 60.53.

2005

November

Has a potentially cancerous tumour removed from his face but recovers quickly and misses less than a month.

2006

April

Centurion

At the aptly-named venue, Fleming becomes the first New Zealand player to reach 100 Tests. Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock also reach the same milestone in the match and South Africa win by 128 runs.

October 25

Mohali

Fleming breaks Arjuna Ranatunga's record of 193 one-day internationals as captain and becomes the world's most experienced ODI leader. He celebrates by making 80 in a convincing win over Pakistan.

	The final bow © Getty Images

2007

April 24

Kingston

Quits as New Zealand's limited-overs captain after they are eliminated from the World Cup at the semi-final stage. Finishes his reign with a record 218 matches as leader and a winning percentage of 48.04.

July-August

Is approached by the Indian Cricket League to captain a side in its new competition. Fleming does not publicly announce his intentions, leading to speculation he is considering retirement from international cricket.

September

Is replaced as Test and ODI captain by Daniel Vettori. Announces he will stay on as a Test player but retires from one-day internationals.

2008

February 18

Announces that he would retire from international cricket after the Test series against England in March.

March 25

Aggregates 125 in his last Test and ends up with a Test average of 40.06

© Cricinfo

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