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CWC mishap for Fleming, McCaw

Wellington - New Zealand sporting legends Richie McCaw and Stephen Fleming found themselves the subject of gentle mockery in their homeland on Friday after a bungled high-five attempt during the Cricket World Cup opening ceremony in Christchurch.

The pair took to the stage for a game of "backyard cricket" with a group of children, but an attempt to look cool in front of the kids backfired when their high five failed to connect, leaving their arms flapping awkwardly in the air.

All Black captain McCaw gave Fleming a playful shove following the embarrassing fail in front of 30 000 people and a global television audience of millions at Thursday night's ceremony.

Critics on Twitter labelled it "the whitest high-five ever" while ex-Black Caps skipper Fleming denied the pair, who have almost 250 Tests between them in their respective sports, had suffered a complete coordination meltdown.

"Hot spot has confirmed there was a clear touch of little fingers as hands crossed performing the high 5 with Ritchie," he tweeted, adding "concede it was clumsy".

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