NEWS
Follow UsFormer New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming, who earlier this week led Chennai Super Kings to the IPL 2021 title, believes that the temporary coach gig he has landed with the Kiwis will be a ‘win-win situation’ for both parties.
Fleming, who is currently in the UAE, will link-up with the New Zealand squad for the warm-up games ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, and the renowned coach expressed his excitement in assisting the national team and asserted that he would pass on all the intel he has with respect to the conditions.
"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,” Fleming said on Sunday, reported ESPN Cricinfo.
"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."
The 48-year-old asserted that New Zealand have ‘never had as much talent’ in the years gone by, but insisted that come the big occasion, what would matter is how the team deals with the pressure. Fleming claimed that it will be vitally important for the Kiwis to endure a strong start to the competition.
"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."
One New Zealand cricketer who has already played two tournaments in the UAE under the mentorship of Fleming is CSK’s Mitchell Santner, who did not get a single game in the IPL 2021 season. Santner, who is a key part of the Kiwis’ T20 set-up, believes that Fleming will be a valuable addition to the BlackCaps’ coaching staff, which is already loaded with big names.
"I've had enough of him actually (laughs)," Santner said of Fleming. "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."
The Kiwis will kick-start their 2021 T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan in Sharjah on October 26.