New Zealand deny rift claim

Bracewell and Fleming have worked together since January

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden has rubbished claims of a split between coach John Bracewell and captain Stephen Fleming.

Former England skipper Michael Atherton claimed in a newspaper column there was a "power struggle" going on.

But Snedden said: "I think Atherton has got absolutely no basis whatsoever for those comments.

"They've got an excellent working relationship, they complement each other really well."

Snedden, who is in the UK for a meeting of the International Cricket Council, spent time with the team and said he had "enquired carefully around the team" on the issue.

However he did admit: "John is only six months into his first international assignment, so he's going to reflect on this afterwards.

"And I'm sure he'll take some lessons out of it, as will all of us."

Since former Gloucestershire coach Bracewell took over the job of coach, and head of selectors, in January, the Black Caps have won one Test and lost five.

However they had won nine of 11 one-day internationals before washed-out matches against England on Thursday and West Indies on Saturday.

And they added to that impressive tally with a resounding win over the hosts at the Riverside on Tuesday.