Date-stamped : 09 Apr97 - 06:23 5 March 1997 Fleming Leads New Zealand In Test Series WELLINGTON -- The convenor of selectors, Ross Dykes, last night named left-hand batsman Stephen Fleming to lead the New Zealand cricket side in the two tests against Sri Lanka. Fleming will replace Lee Germon who was dumped last night after leading New Zealand to an 0-2 test series loss to England and a 2-2 draw in the one-day series, which ended in a 28-run win for the Kiwis at Wellington yesterday. Germon, who has been captain in all his 12 tests, starting in India late in 1995, is the first New Zealand captain to be dropped in mid-season since Jeff Crowe in 1988. Fleming, 23, became New Zealand's youngest test captain when he led the side in the third test against England in Christchurch last month, when Germon was injured. "It was not easy," Dykes said last night. "There was a lot of soul searching and really it came down to form, which is the criteria we've tried to use throughout the season. That's the bottom line." The New Zealand XII for the two Sri Lankan tests contains three changes from the squad for the one-dayers against England. Germon, all-rounder Chris Harris, and medium pacer Gavin Larsen make way for batsmen Blair Pocock and Matt Horne and left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori. Adam Parore will take over as wicketkeeper, having stepped into the job in the third test against England. Dykes confirmed that Germon's form, rather than his ability as a captain, was the main reason for his being dropped. "The predominant reason was form. It's fair to say with any player, once personal form starts to slip it affects all areas of their game," he said. Germon, 28, was appointed captain for the 1995-96 season by the then convenor of selectors and national coach Glenn Turner as he tried to clean up a side in disarray after a disastrous centenary season in 1994-95. Captain Ken Rutherford was axed between seasons, several leading administrators resigned and three players -- including Fleming -- were suspended for three one-day matches after admitting smoking cannabis in South Africa. 'Germon no scapegoat' Dykes, who was not part of the panel which appointed Germon, said he had done a fine job through a difficult period for the New Zealand team as it sought to re-establish itself after that centenary season. "I've no doubt New Zealand Cricket, the selectors and his team-mates certainly feel grateful for what he's done," Dykes added. Dykes was confident Fleming has the ability to make a good captain. "He's in reasonable form. Obviously, he's an inexperienced captain, but we believe he's got the right qualities to lead New Zealand forward." Dykes stressed Germon was not dropped because of the poor results against England. "He's certainly not a scapegoat," he said. In his 12 tests, Germon scored 382 runs at 21.22 while in 37 one-dayers -- all but the first as captain -- he made 519 runs at 19.96. New Zealand won one and lost six of his 12 tests in charge, and won 15 of his 37 one-day matches as captain. His finest achievements were leading New Zealand to a test win over Pakistan in Lahore, late last year, and hitting a spectacular 89 in the World Cup quarter-final loss to Australia at Madras, early in 1996. Dykes expects Germon to try and fight his way back into the side and made it clear the selectors will continue to monitor his form. NZ team: Stephen Fleming (capt), Blair Pocock, Bryan Young, Matt Horne, Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore, Simon Doull, Dipak Patel, Daniel Vettori, Heath Davis, Geoff Allott. -- NZPA Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)