Mohali: All set to become the most capped ODI captain ever, New Zealand’s Stephen Fleming on Monday received rich praise from teammate Lou Vincent, who said he was the motivating force for all players in the side.

“He is the rock of the team. He makes the decisions and we follow him. We all respect him as a player, person and captain,” the 27-year-old allrounder said. “I have played my whole career under him and hope to do so in future,” he told reporters here on Monday.

Praise for Australia

Sydney: The ease with which Australia neutered England’s potent batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff will give them heart for the Ashes campaign, the Australian media said on Monday.

“The methodical ease with which the Australians neutered England’s most potent batting threats, Pietersen and Flintoff, emerged as the key finding from what was more a preliminary reading than a dress rehearsal,” a newspaper reported.