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Captain Fleming laments missing 400
August 25, 2005 11:18 IST
New Zealand [Images] skipper Stephen Fleming [Images] presented a straight bat on Zimbabwe's calibre after his side had hammered a near-record 397 for 5 in the opening game of the triangular series in Bulawayo on Wednesday.
"I am more concerned about how my team is doing rather than worry about the opposition," said Fleming. "In any case, raising nearly 400 runs against any opposition requires pretty special skills."
Fleming didn't go hammer and tongs about the quality of Zimbabwe but showed the ruthless side of his captaincy when he moaned missing out on 400 plus total.
"We didn't enable them to play very well at all. Through sheer pressure we were able to keep them down. This we have done throughout this tour.
"It was a bit disappointing not to have gone up to 400 but still it was pretty special to have come thus far in only 44 overs.
"We enjoy the milestones and records we achieve together but it is the team records, which are valued more than any individual glory."
New Zealand set off for the day as if in a hurry and completely contemptuous of what Zimbabwe could throw at them.
"We played here two days ago on the same pitch and forged a couple of good partnerships. It gave us confidence. It was a nice pitch but we made the most of our opportunities."
Fleming also dismissed the impression that the top order of his side wasn't very stable.
"We may not have the first four batsman who are top in rankings but the first 10 players in our line-up are capable of consistently winning us games."
Fleming though came down hard on Super Sub rule and didn't support it though he found merit in the power play.
"I don't support super sub rule but the power play involves some manipulation as a captain and I quite enjoyed it," remarked Fleming.
Lou Vincent smashed 172 from 120 balls and hit 16 fours and nine sixes -- something which he has only done in the league competition in England [Images].
"I have never done it anywhere else than in league competition in England but I was very disappointed at getting out at that juncture," said Vincent.
Vincent had the opportunity of being the first man ever to score a double hundred in one-day international and said he rued the missed opportunity.
"I felt disappointed, yes and no. The thought did cross my mind during the innings. But I tried to shut up a little bit."