Stephen Fleming named as England’s new Test coach – as Joe Root returns for a second spell as captain

Ex-New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has been appointed as England’s new Test coach, with Joe Root back as captain.

England Test cricket is in complete overhaul since Ben Stokes’ shock retirement as captain in June and Brendon McCullum’s sacking as head coach last month.

The England job will be Fleming’s first foray as a national team head coach, but he does have an impressive reputation having guided the Chennai Super Kings to a record five Indian Premier League titles during his 17-year tenure.

Upon taking the job, the 53-year-old said he was ‘incredibly excited’.

‘It’s one of the most prestigious coaching positions in world cricket and I am honoured to be appointed,’ he added.

He will not be in charge for the Test series against Pakistan, which begins on August 19 with assistant head coach Marcus Trescothick leading the hosts as interim.

Fleming will spend time with his family in New Zealand before flying to the UK later this summer to begin preparations for the South Africa Test tour in December.

For Root, his return as Test captain comes four years after he stepped down initially. The 35-year-old whose first spell as Test captain was between 2017 and 2022, captained England to a record 27 Test wins in 65 matches.

Root said taking on the captain’s role alongside Fleming was a huge motivator’.

He added: ‘[Fleming] has proved over a long period of time that he is an exceptional leader with a great knowledge of the game, and I am looking forward to working with him and helping to build a winning environment.’