Fleming Rips into Richardson

Updated 27 March 2005, 1:08pm NZ time: You can now view the full Cricket Company coverage after Sky Television gave permission to us for its release.

Updated 14 March 2005, 5:20pm NZ time: You can now view the full Hoax video here after Sky Television gave permission to us for its release.

Updated 13 March 2005, 8:40pm NZ time: Cricket Web can now confirm that Stephen Fleming’s attack on former team mate Mark Richardson was a joke. Richardson explained on New Zealand television tonight that Fleming having a go at him, in calling him an ‘idiot’ and criticising his commentary, was for “The Cricket Company”, a cricket show that Richardson co-hosts. Fleming and Richardson were seen laughing together over the shoot, after it had finished.

Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming has hit out at former team mate Mark Richardson today at Eden Park, calling him ‘an idiot’ amongst other things after an interview was conducted between the two men before the fourth day’s play today.

The transcript of the conversation:

Richardson: Ok thanks, good luck.
Fleming: Thanks mate. (Interview ends) Yeah, you’re an idiot. That’s ridiculous, seriously that’s just ridiculous. Two things: You’ve forgotten who your mates are, some of your comments in the changing room? And the other thing is you’re just an idiot talking about scoring rates and picking up the… uh… the tempo of games; you were one of the most boring players to watch and from what I’ve seen so far in your commentary, it is crap. You’re forgetting who your mates are mate; about six months ago you were with us.

The video can be viewed here.
Video originally shown on Willow TV

This was the interview, which prompted the comments from Stephen Fleming:

It starts off with Mark Richardson addressing the commentators.

Mark: Thank you Smithy, it is a little damp underfoot out here in the outfield, but rest assured if it clears up soon we can have a full day’s play.

Stephen, I realise you’re a little underdone in this test, after playing all those one dayers, but can you tell me the real excuse why the Kiwi’s have failed with the bat in this game?

Stephen: I think failed is a strong word. We came here with a game plan, but unfortunately we couldn’t stick to it at times and I guess that’s what cost us.

Mark: (chuckles off to the side) But I mean, it’s as if our batsman have been unable to get back into the swing of Test cricket. Is that a fair assumption?

Stephen: (sort of stares at Mark) I think we just have to do the basics of what we know best when it comes to batting. I think at times we have done that well and at times maybe not so well, but we certainly know we have a fight on our hands.

Mark: And what could be the reason for the slow tempo of the innings? Is it the pitch, you think? Is it playing up? Or are our batsman stuck in between the 50 over game and the longer version?

Stephen: (mumbles a barely audible answer) Thanks, mate. mumbles*