Stephen Fleming takes over as England's new men's Test head coach, replacing Brendon McCullum as Joe Root is named captain again

Stephen Fleming has been appointed as England's new men's Test head coach, replacing former New Zealand team-mate Brendon McCullum, who was sacked earlier this month following a run of poor results. Joe Root has been reappointed as the Test captain.

Fleming, who is New Zealand's most successful Test captain, recently ended a long-running association with Chennai Super Kings.

This will be his first coaching role in international cricket.

"The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has appointed Stephen Fleming as the England Men’s Test Head Coach with Joe Root named as captain," a statement began.

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"Fleming is one of the most highly regarded coaches in world cricket following an 18-year association with Chennai Super Kings, and a playing career that led him to be New Zealand’s most successful Test captain in a career spanning 111 matches."

On the appointment, Fleming said: "I’m incredibly excited to be joining England as Test Coach. It’s one of the most prestigious coaching positions in world cricket and I am honoured to be appointed.    

"I am looking forward to working with the players and bedding in the gains made by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.

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"Of course, the ambition is always to win now. But equally, it’s about ensuring the team is well placed for the medium and long-term future. There is a lot of young talent in and around the team and our aim is to help them fulfil their potential as world-class cricketers.  

"I’m particularly looking forward to working with Joe Root as Captain - a generational talent who has achieved so much already.

"There is still plenty more to come from him, and I’m excited to support him so he can enjoy and thrive in the role in what is a different context to his first stint.  

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"I’m also excited to work with Harry Brook. The best players are never finished products, and helping Harry continue to develop his extraordinary talent and his leadership will be an important part of this journey.  

"I know what it feels like to have the weight of leadership and international cricket take their toll, and when that happened to me, my love for the game was rekindled by going to Notts and winning the County Championship.

"English cricket gave that to me and it is a privilege to have this chance to give something back."

Captaincy a 'great honour' says Root

Root, who won 27 of his 65 Tests in his first stint as captain, added: "It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to be England Men’s Test captain again.

"The Test captaincy is a difficult but hugely rewarding job and, after enjoying a brief taste of it again working with [Brendon] McCullum last month, I am excited to lead this next generation of players forward.  

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"The opportunity to do that alongside Stephen is also a huge motivator. He 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."

Fleming's appointment comes after the ECB's "rigorous process" to replace McCullum, who departed earlier this month following a disappointing 4-1 Ashes series defeat to Australia.

Root's first match back as captain will be the First Test against Pakistan at Headingley, which gets under on August 19.

More to follow

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