Stephen Fleming to discuss 'conditions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi' during 5-day gig with New Zealand

Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has joined the national team’s coaching staff for a short period, in the lead-up to the upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup. Fleming will assist Gary Stead (head coach), Luke Ronchi (batting coach), Shane Jurgensen (bowling coach), Shane Bond (who will work specifically with the spinners) in the backroom. The former New Zealand captain has expressed a desire to discuss the conditions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi during a five-day gig. Fleming will certainly provide some valuable insights having recently won the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 while coaching Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the same conditions.

“There’s a little bit of time before my MIQ spot and it’s just a great opportunity. We’ve talked for a while about sharing ideas and coming into the camp and watching these players who I’m a big fan of. [I’m] very lucky to have that opportunity. I’m doing five days now pre-World Cup and talk about the conditions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which we [Super Kings] have been playing in, and also cast an eye over and get some ideas back from him [Stead]. So, it’s a great opportunity, very proud to get the Black Caps kit back on as well. So, straight into it and will be looking forward to it,” said Fleming in an interaction with NZ’s in-house media team as quoted by Cricinfo.

“The T20 is what I’ve had my head into for so long now”

The former New Zealand cricketer termed this stint as a win-win from his perspective.

“The T20 is what I’ve had my head into for so long now. With the Black Caps performing well and the World Cup around the corner, to share some of those experiences and get a bit closer to some of these guys… From coaching the best players around the world you learn some lessons. So, it’s just passing on the knowledge and being a fan and being around [the team]. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a good coaching group. There’s a lot of experience there and I’ll get some stuff come back my way as well. So, it’s a win-win,” stated Fleming.

“It’s a good squad. There’s a lot of talent, we’ve never had as much talent as this within New Zealand cricket, so getting the right balance and the way you want to play the game is very important. But the skillset, and what these guys put out and entertain us with, is very high. Coming to grips with these conditions will be the challenge in warm-up games, and there’s a couple of key games first up. So dealing with pressure and starting the tournament well, I think, is a priority,” he added.

“Stephen Fleming’s obviously had a wealth of experience”

Spin-bowling allrounder Mitchell Santner who recently represented the Chennai-based franchise in IPL 2021, expressed a desire to tap into Fleming’s experience further in the New Zealand backroom.

“I’ve had enough of him actually (laughs). No, he’s obviously had a wealth of experience, he’s been at Chennai [Super Kings] for 14 years, I think, and he has seen a lot of T20 cricket. I think trying to bring some of those characteristics that he has got and he has obviously got a pretty good record as a coach in franchise cricket, so he’ll bring in some good stuff,” he stated.