Stephen Fleming has been appointed as the new head coach of the England Test cricket team, with Joe Root returning to captain the side. Fleming, 53, brings extensive experience from his 17-year tenure as head coach of the Chennai Super Kings, where he led the Indian Premier League team to a record five titles. This marks his first national team coaching appointment.
Brendon McCullum, the previous Test coach, was dismissed earlier this month after a period of poor results and off-field issues. McCullum will continue to coach England's white-ball teams.
Joe Root, 35, who previously captained England in 65 Test matches between 2017 and 2022, leading the team to a record 27 wins, expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership. "[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," Root stated, calling the opportunity to captain alongside Fleming a "huge motivator."
Fleming conveyed his excitement about the role, describing it as "one of the most prestigious coaching positions in world cricket" and expressing his honor at being appointed. He is scheduled to begin preparations with the team later in the summer, following a period with his family in New Zealand. His first assignment will not be the Test series against Pakistan, which commences on August 19. Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim head coach for that series. Fleming's full tenure will commence with the Test tour of South Africa in December.