Fleming appointed as new Brave head coach
By Connor Steel
SOUTHERN BRAVE have announced the appointment of former New Zealand captain, Stephen Fleming, as their new head coach for the 2023 franchise Hundred competition; replacing Mahela Jayawardena in the role after two years with the Sri Lankan committing his future to Mumbai Indians from the Indian Premier League.
Fleming will bring plenty of experience to the role having played in 111 test matches and 280 further one-day international games for the Black Caps, making him the 2nd-most capped men’s player in their history. In his playing career the opener saw stints at Middlesex, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire from 2001 until late 2007.
He won the County Championship with the latter back in 2005 and helped his international team gain bronze at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumper. Short form cricket has sealed more success as he has played in multiple One Day world cups including two losing semi-finals for his country across 1999 and 2007.
Turning to coaching after retirement, Fleming has been the head coach for Melbourne Stars and Rising Pune Supergiant for the Australian Big Bash. He has further lifted the Indian Premier League trophy in 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021 contests as Chennai Super Kings’ coach; alongside the 2020 Twenty-20 Champions League.
News of Fleming’s appointment was confirmed on Wednesday (December 21) as the New Zealander hopes to lead Southern Brave to their second Hundred title; having tasted glory in 2021. The 2022 edition was very disappointing with the squad suffering an injury crisis, ending in seventh with three wins from eight matches.
Fleming added his own thoughts on his new job, saying: “It is a real privilege to have been offered the role of Southern Brave Coach. I look forward to working with the team to continue building on the initial success that this side has had. The competition has looked fantastic from afar and I can’t wait to be a part of it next year.”
Readers can read quotes from Southern Brave’s director of cricket Giles White and the outgoing head coach Mahela Jayawardena by clicking this link via the official Hampshire Cricket website. More information on the Hundred competition, teams and the fixture announcement for 2023 can be seen on this designated website.
PICTURED BY ALAMY (GAHRG1): Stephen Fleming participates in a media event at Eden Park, Auckland.
