Stephen Fleming, born on April 1, 1973, is a former international cricketer from New Zealand, known for his left-handed batting and occasional right-arm slow-medium bowling. He holds the record for being New Zealand’s second-most capped Test cricketer, with 111 appearances. Fleming is also renowned for being the team’s longest-serving and most successful captain, having led them to 28 test victories and their first ICC trophy, the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy. In 2005, he captained New Zealand in their first-ever Twenty20 International against Australia.
After retiring from international cricket on March 26, 2008, Stephen played for the Chennai Super Kings in the inaugural season of the IPL and later became their coach in 2009. Currently, he serves as the head coach of Chennai Super Kings, leading them to five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 titles. Additionally, he is the head coach of other Super Kings franchises, including the Joburg Super Kings in SA20 and the Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket. Fleming also coached the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League from 2015 to 2019.
Despite his success on the field, Stephen Fleming and his family have maintained a low profile, with limited information available about them. He is married to Kelly Payne, and together they are parents to two children. While there is information about his mother and father, details about his siblings are not readily available. In this article, we aim to provide comprehensive details about Stephen Fleming’s family, including his father, mother, siblings, and children.
Table of Contents
Everything about Stephen Fleming Family
Stephen Fleming’s parents are Gary Kirk (Father) and Pauline Fleming (Mother). Pauline raised Stephen as a single mother, and he did not meet his father until he was 16 years old, despite Kirk maintaining a keen interest in his son’s progress. Both Kirk and Stephen played senior rugby and captained Cashmere High’s first XV, highlighting their shared love for the sport.
Stephen Fleming Wife & Kids
Stephen Fleming, the legendary cricketer and former captain of the New Zealand national cricket team, has a family life that is as intriguing as his cricketing career. Fleming met his wife, Kelly Payne, during their university days, and their relationship has been a pillar of strength for him. Kelly, a former New Zealand representative rhythmic gymnast, has stood by Fleming through thick and thin, providing unwavering support.
On May 9, 2007, Stephen Fleming and Kelly Payne exchanged vows in a ceremony held in Wellington, New Zealand. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, solidifying their commitment to each other. The couple has been blessed with two children. Their daughter, Tayla, was born in 2006, and their son, Cooper, followed in 2008. The family of four shares a close bond, evident in the heartwarming moments captured in various photographs and videos shared by Fleming on his social media accounts.
Despite Fleming’s busy schedule as a cricketer and later as a coach, he has always prioritized his family. He often speaks fondly of his wife and children, highlighting the importance of their support in his life. Fleming’s retirement from international cricket in 2008 allowed him to spend more time with his family, a decision that he has never regretted.
Kelly Payne, known for her grace and poise, has been a constant presence in Fleming’s life, attending matches and supporting him from the sidelines. Her background in rhythmic gymnastics has given her a unique perspective on sports, which she has undoubtedly passed on to her children.
As Stephen Fleming continues to make his mark in the cricketing world as a coach, his family remains his anchor, providing him with love, strength, and motivation. Together, they are a testament to the power of family and the importance of having a strong support system in achieving one’s goals.
Career Stats & Records
Stephen Fleming has had a notable cricketing career, marked by numerous achievements both as a player and a leader. He has played county cricket in England for Middlesex, Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire. Notably, he captained Nottinghamshire to County Championship victory in 2005, ending their 18-year title drought.
A left-handed batsman, Fleming made his test debut in March 1994 against India, impressively earning the Man of the Match award with a score of 92. His ODI debut followed shortly after, where he scored an unbeaten 90 against the same opponent. In 1996–97, during England’s tour of New Zealand, Fleming scored his maiden test century and assumed the captaincy in the third Test, becoming New Zealand’s youngest captain at the time.
Under Fleming’s captaincy, New Zealand achieved significant milestones, including winning the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy, their first ICC trophy. He surpassed Geoff Howarth as New Zealand’s most successful test captain in September 2000 and led the team to numerous victories, finishing with 28 wins, the highest by any New Zealand captain. Fleming’s notable performances include an unbeaten 134 against South Africa in the 2003 Cricket World Cup and a double-century in 2006 against South Africa.
In October 2006, Fleming surpassed Arjuna Ranatunga for the most matches as a captain in ODIs and finished with 218 games as a captain, a record later surpassed only by Ricky Ponting. He led New Zealand to the semi-finals of the 2007 World Cup but resigned as captain after the tournament. Daniel Vettori succeeded him as captain in September 2007.
Fleming retired from international cricket in 2008 to spend more time with his family and pursue opportunities in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He scored over 7000 runs in test cricket and took more than 170 catches, ranking third in the Test aggregate for a non-wicketkeeper.
In the IPL, Fleming was acquired by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the inaugural season in 2008. He later transitioned to coaching and led CSK to victory in the 2010 season. He coached CSK to three more IPL titles in 2011, 2018, and 2021, as well as two Champions League Twenty20 titles in 2010 and 2014. After stints with other franchises, Fleming returned to CSK and continued his successful coaching career, making CSK the most successful IPL franchise during his tenure.
Post-retirement, Fleming has also served as head coach for other Super Kings franchises, including Joburg Super Kings and Texas Super Kings. As a left-handed batsman, he has scored 17 centuries in international cricket, including nine in Tests and eight in ODIs, placing him ninety-sixth in the list of century-makers in international cricket.
Also Read: Stephen Fleming Wife- Kelly Payne Age, Photos, Interests, Profession and More
Stephen Fleming Family FAQs
1- Who is the father of Stephen Fleming?
Gary Kirk is the father of Stephen Fleming.
2- Who is the mother of Stephen Fleming?
Pauline Fleming is the mother of Stephen Fleming.
3- Who is the wife of Stephen Fleming?
Kelly Payne is the wife of Stephen Fleming.
