Fleming clarifies comments on India

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming clarified that he had never said that the TVS tri-series match schedule was loaded in favour of India.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming on Friday clarified that he had never said that the TVS tri-series match schedule was loaded in favour of India.

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"I have never said that. It was the creation of the media. What I said that we have to play two sorts of game - day matches and day and night matches involving India", Fleming told reporters here.

This two different types of matches required special adjustments, he said on the sidelines of a function held to felicitate him and spinner Daniel Vettori as brand ambassadors of Seagram's Royal Stag.

Referring to the Sunday's tri-series encounter against Australia here, he said "this is a must-win game for us and stress should be given on improving the fielding standards".

When asked if the early start of the match at the Nehru stadium here at 8.30 am would affect the teams, the New Zealand skipper said it might initially favour the bowling team.

Stating that his team had fond memories of Guwahati where in 2001 they registered a comprehensive win against India, Fleming said he was not much worried about his form.

"I am not much worried as it would better", the skipper said when asked to comment about his low scores in the current tour so far.

He said the team's fielding was good at Cuttack and the players should maintain the standard if they had to beat the World Champions.