Go well Flem, you've done us proud and now you deserve a cash gig to keep you & yours secure.

Kia Kaha.

One point that has been overlooked is why Fleming is retiring at all. Forget "timing" issues, he's not yet 35, pretty well injury free and still our most consistent Test batsman. Losing the captaincy has clearly hit a nerve but that decision was and still is reversable. NZ Cricket spent weeks trying to stop Bond quitting. One feels no comparable effort has been made here.

You've given so much enjoyment. not just with your elegant batting, your intelligent and innovative captaincy, but also your insightful wit and humour, your honest sideline comments and candour when interviewed. Even though I've never met you I feel as if a treasured friend is leaving for a far off country and I don't know when we will meet again. I wish you and your family God's best. Thanks for all the wonderful memories!

One of my favourite umpiring memories is having the pleasure of watching Flem, from close quarters, score a century in club cricket during the players' strike of 2002/03. He was horribly out of touch and it was one of the ugliest centuries you'll ever see, but the straight boundaries at Karori Park weren't particularly bowler-friendly. It was pretty weird when Eastern Suburbs were fielding looking down the pitch from the bowlers' end and seeing the NZ captain at first slip. An enduring memory is a catch he nearly dropped at slip - he fumbled it but then made it look like he had so much time to regather... the mark of a class player.

Mr McLean: There is no way they would ever revoke Vettori's Test captaincy. Fleming would have been keen as mustard to put in place his plans for England at home, and then avenging the 2004 3-0 loss before pulling the pin. The combination of being axed as Test captain, the doleros on offer in the IPL (he would have been encouraged to sign by NZC to avoid him going to the ICL) and the baby scenario have combined to send him over the edge and away from test cricket. The tension with Bracewell - your #1 obsession - will not be revealed until post-Easter at the earliest.

I look forward to the next book, as long as it's not Boock ('s). But given I hear on grapevine that Flem went up to Mr Boock at an airport recently and told him he would never speak to him personally again, and good day. Should be a bit of dirt to dish on Bracewell, who I would personally blame for Flem's departure now. He's even said he would've loved to finish at Trent Bridge, so questions must be asked.

Flem, you are a legend. You have done your country proud for so many years. I am only 14 but I can still remember some of the great knocks and some of the witty captaincy. cya Flem your country will miss you mate!

What I'm saying are these are desparate times Paul, a time for gutsy calls to be made by NZC rather than sitting back and watching players drift away.

Bracewell has destroyed the Test team, which will have contributed to Fleming's decision. It was inevitable, Bracewell at some point would be the catalyst for defections and regrettably NZC has continued to back him, despite him not achieving what should be the No 1 priority: results. Fleming would probably still have the captaincy if NZC had seen sense and we wouldn't be having this debate.

Let's not forget also that unlike the ICL (three tournaments this year), the IPL is a once-a-year tournament and it's likely the Future Tours Programme will, in time, specifically accommodate the IPL. Fleming could still be playing Tests (he could have been given leave to see baby No 2's arrival like he was for baby No 1), alongside the IPL commitments.

Poool - bought a tear to the eye. Wonderful stuff. My personal highlight of Flem's reign was when he got all the players to gather in a huddle at the boundary before they ran out onto The Basin...then they all exploded out of the huddle and sprinted to their position in the field and crouched down...taking the p*ss out of the tedious Sky 'field placement' graphic...in fact that was the only thing I can remember from that day.

Such a huge loss for NZ Cricket. When you look back on the last 18 months we've lost four players who would make the all time NZ XI. Our greatest captain (Fleming), our greatest all-rounder (Cairns), our greatest opening ODI batsman (Astle) and our second greatest strike bowler (Bond). Not to mention four mentors the younger players in the squad to learn from.

I only hope Flem gets the departure he deserves, something like Cairns' send off at the T-20 match against the Windies would be great but I doubt Napier will pull that kind of crowd for a test match.

Bring on a testimonial at the Basin.