Stephen Fleming replaces McCullum as England Test coach, Joe Root returns as captain

Stephen Fleming has been appointed as the new head coach of England’s men’s Test team, replacing Brendon McCullum, while Joe Root returns as Test captain after Ben Stokes has retired from international cricket.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the appointment after what it described as a rigorous recruitment process, with Fleming selected unanimously by a board panel to lead the next phase of England’s red-ball journey. The move marks the start of a new era for England, with one of world cricket’s most respected coaches joining forces with the country’s most prolific Test batsman.

On his appointment, Fleming said: “I am incredibly excited to be joining England as Test coach. It is one of the most prestigious coaching positions in world cricket and I am honored to have been appointed.”

“I’m looking forward to working with the players and the contributions that Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have made. Of course, the ambition is always to win. But it’s also about making sure the squad is well placed for the medium and long-term future. There’s a lot of young talent in and around the squad and our aim is to help them fulfill their potential as world-class cricketers.”

FLEMING COMES WITH AN IMPRESSIVE RESUME

Fleming, 53, comes with one of the most decorated coaching resumes in world cricket. The former New Zealand captain spent 18 years with Chennai Super Kings and led the franchise to five Indian Premier League titles and 10 finals. He also coached the Southern Brave to the 2023 Men’s Hundred final and worked with CSK’s affiliate teams in South Africa and the United States in addition to his stint with the Melbourne Stars.

As a player, Fleming captained New Zealand in a record 80 Tests and led his team to 28 victories in an outstanding international career spanning 111 matches. He also had success in county cricket, leading Nottinghamshire to the County Championship in 2005, ending the club’s long wait for a trophy.

ROOT SET FOR ANOTHER STINT AS CAPTAIN

Root, meanwhile, will begin his second spell as England Test captain after previously leading the team from 2017 to 2022. He led England in 64 Tests during his first stint, winning a national record 27 matches, before stepping down after a difficult run of results. Despite tough away tours in Australia and the Caribbean, Root established himself as one of England’s most successful leaders in the longest format.

Following his appointment, Root said: “It’s a great honor and privilege to be asked to captain the England men’s Test again. Test captaincy is a difficult but hugely rewarding job, and after enjoying a brief taste of working with (Brendon) McCullum again last month, I’m excited to lead this new generation of players forward.

“The opportunity to do this alongside Stephen is also a huge motivator. He has long shown himself to be an exceptional leader with a great knowledge of the game and I look forward to working with him and helping to build a winning environment.”

The 35-year-old has continued to build on his reputation since stepping down as captain, surpassing Sir Alastair Cook to become England’s top run-scorer while also breaking into the top five on the all-time Test run-scorer list. He also impressed during a recent stint as interim captain against New Zealand, reinforcing the ECB’s belief that he is the right person to lead England through this transitional phase.

With Fleming’s proven coaching pedigree and Root’s wealth of leadership experience, England will be hoping that the new partnership can build on the foundations laid in recent years and steer the Test side to continued success at home and overseas.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

30 Jul 2026 15:30 IST