Wellington: Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is retiring from international cricket at the end of next month's home test series against England, he told a news conference in Auckland today.

The 34-year-old quit one-day internationals after last year's World Cup and is now giving up tests to focus on his family and business interests.

"I always indicated that I was likely to retire from international cricket at some point in the near future and the time is right for me and my family to do that now," Fleming said.

"Retiring before the (return) tour to England (later this year) will allow me to be with (wife) Kelly for the birth of our second child and I am excited about pursuing new business opportunities," he added.

Fleming is New Zealand's most capped player and leading runscorer in both tests and one-day cricket. He is also his country's most successful captain.

He skippered the side for more than a decade and led them to test series wins over India, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
He also led the Black Caps to victory in the 2000 Champions Trophy in Kenya and to the World Cup semi-finals in 1999 and 2007.

Source : UNI