Fleming is required for international duty following confirmation thisweek that New Zealand?s tour of Zimbabwe is to go ahead and he said:"It?s unfortunate that I will be away from Nottingham at a crucialstage but I have my commitments with New Zealand.

"The Notts players have shown their qualities in the first half of theseason and I have every confidence they will maintain and improve onthose standards while I am away.

"We are in a group of five or six teams who have a chance of the titleand I sincerely hope that I can help us finish top of the pile comeSeptember."

Fleming is currently sixth in the first-class averages with 727 runs atan average of 72.7, including four hundreds, with a top score of 238.

Notts Director of Cricket Mick Newell said: "We expect Stephen will bemissing for five weeks, through August and early September, but westill have an important part to play in our end of season run-in.

"We are looking to sign a replacement for the period he is missing andideally he will be a high calibre batsman who can slot straight intoStephen?s place in the batting order.

"We will need to give a lot of thought to the captaincy, but hopefullyhis influence over the side will still be felt as we aim for theChampionship and fight tooth and nail to steer clear of relegation fromthe totesport League."