Stephen Fleming returned to captain the BLACKCAPS in fourth National Bank ODI against Sri Lanka at Auckland’s Eden Park in determined fashion.
Fleming was back after missing the opening three matches of The National Bank Series.
And he was eager to help sustain a top order flourish and lift the all-important run rate in limited overs matches.
Before the game, he said: "I don't want to underplay my own ability to create a strike-rate.
"Sometimes I find myself in a position where I'm tempted to turn over the strike for Nathan (Astle) or Brendon (McCullum) in a way that probably sells my potential a bit short.
"I've got to make sure that if it's my day, I can seize it, and that Brendon is the one who adapts. He's not solely in charge of creating the strike-rate; I've got to make sure I do my share of the work as well."
However, the skipper will have to wait for his chance to bat, with counterpart Mahela Jayawardene winning the toss and electing to bat.
Fleming replaces James Marshall, with Craig McMillan also returning to the side for Nathan Astle. Jeetan Patel comes in for Daniel Vettori, and Andre Adams replaces James Franklin, who is 12th man.
Jayawardene recalled Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga and Chamara Kapugedera.
BLACKCAPS: Stephen Fleming (c), Andre Adams, Shane Bond, Peter Fulton, ,Mark Gillespie, Hamish Marshall, Michael Mason, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Jeetan Patel, Ross Taylor.
Sri Lanka: M Jayawardene (captain) , K Sangakkara, S Jayasuriya, U Tharanga, M Atapattu, C Kapugedera, F Maharoof, C Vaas, L Malinga, D Fernando, M Muralidaran.
