BIG CALL: Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is expected to confirm his retirement plans at a press conference later today.
Stephen Fleming has called a press conference this afternoon where it is expected he will announce plans for his retirement from test cricket.

It is uncertain whether Fleming will retire today, at the end of the home test series against England or at the completion of the winter tour to England in June.

The press conference will be at Eden Park at 2pm.

Less than a week ago, the former skipper was offering a polite "no comment" to suggestions he would hang up his black cap earlier than anticipated.

Fleming, 34, has played the most tests (108), scored the most runs (6875), captained the most wins (28) and taken the most catches (166) for New Zealand.

He retired from the one-day version of the game after the World Cup in Jamaica last year after playing in 280 ODIs since 1994, and was captain in 218 of these.

He lost the test captaincy in September last year after a record reign of 10 years, the selectors handing the responsibility to Daniel Vettori who had already assumed control of the New Zealand one-day and Twenty20 teams.

It is understood Fleming's wife Kelly is due to give birth to their second child in June.

-with NZPA
It will be a real shame today if Stephen Flemming announces his retirement from the Black Caps today especially with the loss already of Nathan Astle,Craig McMillan,Chris Cairns,Shane Bond,Daryll Tuffey and Scott Styris from the Test arena already and the forth coming series against England yet to come this summer.
Over the last ten years Stephen Flemming has been a dependable rock for the Kiwi's and a very fine leader both on and off the field and it's a real shame that we seem to be loosing so many of our expirienced players all at the same time..