The New Zealand cricket selectors who met after the final onedayer deliberated for long before chopping Germon and installing the aggressive Stephen Fleming as captain for the test and oneday series against Sri Lanka.
Poor form was the reason given for Germon's removal. In 12 tests he has scored only 382 runs with a top score of 55, averaging 21, 22. In 36 one day internationals he has scored 517 runs with a top score of 89, averaging 20.68.
Germon apparently cooked his goose when he won the toss in the second test against England and decided to bat on a wicket that was treacherous after heavy rain. New Zealand lost that test very badly.
Germon's successor Fleming who stop-gapped for him in the final test against England did not fare any better losing that test too. Germon pulled out due to injury.
The NZCA selectors who took the decision to dump Germon were Ross Dykes (convenor), Rick Pickard and Mike Shrimpton.
Sri Lanka Skipper Arjuna Ranatunga when asked to comment on the removal of Germon and the installing of Fleming said: ''We are not worried. They the selectors can appoint anyone as captain. We have come here to play and win. Whoever the captain or the team we will play hard with winning being the bottom line'', said Ranatunga.
The cry for Germon's removal was on from the time the Sri Lankans arrived. Although Germon failed to oblige with the bat, his wicket keeping was first rate as he showed in the final one-dayer against England on Tuesday.
The New Zealand squad from which the team to play Sri Lanka in the First Test will be chosen (from) S. Fleming (capt), N. Astle, B. Young, B. Pocock, A. Parore, M. Horne, C. Cairns, G. Allott, D. Patel, H. Davies, S. Doull and D. Vettori.