Fleming props up New Zealand to 195

Mumbai, Oct 16 (UNI) New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming played a captain's knock making a 112-ball 89 to prop up the Black Caps to 195 all out in 45.4 overs after being asked to bat by South Africa in the Group 'B' opener of the ICC Champions Trophy being played at the Brabourne stadium here today.

New Zealand, missing two of their main players for today's match in Scott Styris and Shane Bond with injuries, had their batsmen to blame for their score as most of them failed to give that valuable support to Fleming who in the end was left to fight a lone battle.

The wicket, though better than the one used for the match between Sri Lanka and West Indies, was still on the slower side and the spinners were getting some turn. This could enthuse the two spinners in the Kiwi ranks to be able to make a match of it.

New Zealand started off confidently racing to 74 for one with Fleming in ominous form both on the leg and off side. It looked like a 250-plus total was on the cards.

However, Astle, after making 14 with two glorious boundaries, was castled by Andrew Hall. After this, the South Africans got an opening and got regular wickets.

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