Wellington, Feb.14 (ANI): Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming today announced that he would be retiring from international cricket after the home Test series against England.
New Zealand's leading Test run-scorer, most capped player, and most prolific captain said it was better for his family if he quit the game ahead of the return tour of England in May and June.
"I always indicated that I was likely to retire from international cricket at some point in the near future and the time is right for me and my family to do that now. Retiring before the tour to England will allow me to be with [my wife] Kelly for the birth of our second child," an emotional Fleming said.
Fleming, 34, confirmed that he will take part in the Indian Premier League, saying that it was a good way to stay involved in the sport.
"It is an exciting opportunity and one that I will be pursuing with the full support of New Zealand Cricket. The IPL only takes a short amount of my time each year, and allows me to continue pursuing my new endeavours outside of the game," he said.
One of those aims is to start his own marketing, media and sports management business, but NZC's chief executive Justin Vaughan hopes Fleming will play a part in the country's cricketing future.
"Stephen's presence and leadership qualities had a tremendous impact on the team and he will be missed by New Zealand Cricket and the Black Caps," Vaughan said.
"We are working to ensure that he has a role within cricket in New Zealand in the future," Vaughan added.
Fleming has so far played 108 Tests (108), scored 6875 runs, taken 166 catches, captained in 80 games (80), and won 28 of them.
He retired from one-day international cricket last September with a similar bunch of records.
Fleming has so far scored nine centuries and 43 half-centuries in accumulating a Test average of 39.73. (ANI)
