New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has resigned as New Zealand’s one day captain but wants to carry on in the role at Test level.

Fleming’s decision comes in the wake of his side’s 81-run semi-final defeat to Sri Lanka. He captained the side 218 times, winning 98 and losing 106.

“This was my last game as one-day captain, but I still want to captain the Test side,” Fleming said at the post-match press conference.

The decision was motivated by a desire to focus on his batting, which he says has suffered under the added weight of his captaincy responsibilities.

“I’ve only just turned 34 and I think I’ve still got some good batting years ahead of me,” he said. “So I want to concentrate on that for a while, and put a lot of energy into our Test cricket. In some ways your energy levels are sapped when you captain the side, and I want to play with a fresh mind, and finish off my career with some stats that I think I’m worth.”

Fleming is generally seen as one of the game’s most astute and inventive skippers, and has often done wonders with a side limited in the talent stakes. He did however lament his side’s inability to win the biggest prize of them all.

“I obviously dreamed the dream that I’d be lifting the Cup but it wasn’t to be,” he said. “I’d love to keep doing the job, but I think it’s important that we get some fresh ideas and more enthusiasm. I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to achieve. Two-hundred-and-eighteen games is a long time, and professionally I think I’ve done the job well.

“It’s a personal decision and in no way did I want it to interfere with our preparations. I was very clear on what I wanted to do. It was just a case of hoping to get to the final and win that, and that would have been a great way to go out.

“I’ve thought long and hard, and I’m positive that this is the right way to do it,” he continued.

“It gives the guy who takes over the one-day reins a chance to work on that before taking over the Test reins. That’s what New Zealand cricket want, rather than putting them in at the deep end. In the past we’ve lost senior players or captains suddenly, and people have been dropped in it. If it’s a gradual process there will be positives.”

He said he was still keen to assist whoever was appointed in the role, suggesting that Daniel Vettori would be the best suited candidate.

“I think if you look at the way we’ve groomed Vettori for this tournament, he’ll certainly come into discussions. But whoever takes over the role, I want to be around to assist for a period of time as well. I’ve no problem sitting back in that role, but it’ll be up to the selectors.

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