New Zealand star Fleming to quit Tests

AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming says he will retire from Test cricket at the end of next month's home series against England.

The 34-year-old left-hander is New Zealand's most capped Test cricketer with 108 appearances.

Fleming has scored 6,875 Test runs at an average of 39.73, which includes nine centuries, he captained his country for 80 Tests and 218 one-day internationals and his 166 Test catches are the most by a New Zealand player.

"I always indicated that I was likely to retire from international cricket as some point in the near future and the time is right for me and my family to do that now," he said.

Fleming, whose wife Kelly is expecting their second child, is among a number of leading veteran cricketers to have signed up for the lucrative Indian Premier League and may play first class cricket for New Zealand province Wellington to keep himself match sharp for that.

"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 added.

Daniel Vettori, who took over from Fleming as New Zealand captain paid tribute.

"First and foremost he's going to be remembered as one of New Zealand's greats - leading catcher, most amount of Test matches and he's also been captain for 10 years - so when you bundle all that together you've got an amazing cricketer," said Vettori.

"I think he's been instrumental in a lot of our success over the years through his captaincy, through his performances with the bat and through his fielding." E-mail to a friend