Fleming replaced as Kiwis captain

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Stephen Fleming has been replaced as captain of the New Zealand Test team by Daniel Vettori, who has already taken charge of the Kiwis in one-day international cricket.

Fleming, 34, who had wanted to stay in charge of the Test team, also announced his retirement from one-day internationals.

He led the Kiwis to 28 wins and 25 draws in 80 Tests in his 10 years in charge.

"I would have wished to remain Test captain, but I can understand why the selectors prefer to have one captain," he said.

"I'm fully committed to New Zealand but feel the time is right for me to retire from the one-day game," added Fleming.

Fleming played 280 one-day matches, scoring 8,037 runs at an average of 32.4 - the highest of any New Zealand batsman, leading them to the ICC Champions Trophy in 2000.

Spin-bowler Vettori, 28, had already been named as skipper of the one-day and Twenty20 sides but will now take charge of the Test team when New Zealand tour South Africa in October.

"I hold Vettori in high regard and will support him fully in his transition as Test captain

"The tour to South Africa will be a real challenge. No New Zealand team has ever won a Test series there and I am looking forward to the tour, " added Fleming.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan paid tribute to Fleming's many years of service, describing him as the country's "greatest ever captain."

He continued: "It will obviously be a major step for Stephen to play in a non-captaincy role. For him to accept the selectors' decision graciously and to remain committed to New Zealand cricket is a true measure of his character," Vaughan commented. E-mail to a friend