Stephen Fleming will surpass Arjuna Ranatunga's captaincy record for most one-day internationals next week and the New Zealand skipper hopes to emulate the former Sri Lankan leader by winning a World Cup.
The 33-year-old Fleming, regarded as one of the most astute minds in limited overs cricket, will be leading in his 194th one-day international when he walks out for the toss with Pakistan's Younis Khan in a Champions Trophy Group B match in Mohali on Wednesday.
"Certainly as captain you dream of lifting the World Cup. I've been on the job long enough to have a burning ambition," Fleming said.
"I am enjoying my captaincy now more than ever. It has been a long time. I can look over a lot of different games, a lot of different captaincy styles I have used.
"I can honestly say that I am learning more now within the side, developing myself more. It's an exciting prospect looking forward."
Ranatunga inspired dark horses Sri Lanka to glory in the 1996 World Cup in the sub-continent with his innovative leadership and his ability to bat under pressure.
Fleming said he would have to do the same if New Zealand were to succeed in the World Cup in the Caribbean in March.
"To do that (win the World Cup) I have got to play well. I just have to do my job, that's getting runs. If I do that, my captaincy is better, my decision-making is better and that younger players tend to follow that lead."
DANGEROUS OPPONENTS
Free-spirited New Zealand are considered dangerous opposition because of the exciting approach to the game.
They qualified for the semifinals in four World Cups, the last being in 1999 in England.
Fleming, who has scored 7,273 runs in one-day cricket and 6,545 runs in Tests, said his team has come a long way from being just the dark horses in competitions.
"(But) the biggest worry for us is that we have been inconsistent in big tournaments," said the elegant left-hander who led the side to the Champions Trophy title in 2000.
"I think we are a side that gets a bit comfortable once it has won a game. Our ambitions have never been probably to win tournaments or realistically think we can win tournaments, whereas this team does.
"And that places more pressure on us. But it will also bring out a more consistent side. We can only back that up by winning games."
New Zealand have been dogged by frequent injuries to premier players, more recently to that of strike bowler Shane Bond and all-rounder Scott Styris.
"It has been frustrating because our resources are such that if we lose a major player it is very hard to replace.
"Other countries like Australia, India, England have a number of players they can call on. We don't have that luxury, but we are starting to develop it.
"We still hurt when we lose a Shane Bonds or a Scott Styris because they have their varied experience and not often do we carry a side that is full of experience as well as it is now.
"We are trying very hard to keep them on the field, and looking at the World Cup that's what we need to do."
