Joe Root has been reappointed as England Test captain, with former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming confirmed as the side’s new head coach.
Root, the second highest run-scorer in Test history, captained England from 2017-2022 before being replaced by Ben Stokes, who announced his retirement from international cricket following a 2-1 series defeat to New Zealand in June.
The 35-year-old, who has captained England on a record 65 occasions – most recently when deputising for Stokes during the second Test against New Zealand – takes charge for an upcoming three-match series against Pakistan next month and is now set to lead his country into next summer’s home Ashes against Australia.
Fleming, 53, succeeds his former international team-mate Brendon McCullum, who was sacked as Test boss after the 2-1 series defeat to New Zealand in June but remains at the helm of England’s limited-overs sides.
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Highlights from day five of the third Test between England and New Zealand.
Root said: “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 Baz McCullum last month, I am excited to lead this next generation of players forward.
“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.”
The immediate task facing Fleming and Root is to revive a side that have lost eight of their last 12 matches across a 2-2 home draw with India last summer, the 4-1 Ashes battering in Australia over the winter and the recent era-ending 2-1 reverse against New Zealand.
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Brendon McCullum speaks on what it will be like working with a new coach for England as well as the future of their white-ball side.
As it confirmed his appointment on Thursday, the England and Wales Cricket Board said Fleming’s “role will begin after the start” of the Pakistan series, during which Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim head coach.
The ECB’s wording meant it wasn’t immediately clear whether Fleming will take charge or be part of the England camp at some point during the Pakistan series, after he has returned home to New Zealand to spend time with his family.
Fleming recently left his role as head coach of Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings, having been in charge of the T20 outfit since 2009, the year after his distinguished playing career ended.
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. 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.”
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Speaking to Michael Atherton on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, former Australian white-ball captain Aaron Finch labelled England cricket ‘a circus’ and admitted he’s finding their current crisis amusing.
England’s next fixtures after the Pakistan series come on a three-Test tour of South Africa across December and January, before they meet Australia in the 150th-anniversary Test in Melbourne in March ahead of next year’s home Ashes series.
More to follow…
England vs Pakistan Test series schedule
All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports
First Test (Headingley) – Wednesday August 19-Sunday August 23 (11am)Second Test (Lord’s) – Thursday August 27-Monday August 31 (11am)Third Test (Edgbaston) – Wednesday September 9-Sunday September 13 (11am)
Watch the three-Test series between England and Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket from August 19. Stream cricket and more sport contract-free with NOW.
