England appoint Joe Root as Test captain & Stephen Fleming as Head Coach

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have announced Joe Root as captain and Stephen Fleming as head coach of the Men’s Test side. 

Fleming, who recently coached the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, will officially take charge of the red-ball team after England’s three-match Test series against Pakistan. Former assistant coach and opening batter Marcus Trescothick will serve in the role on an interim basis in the series starting from August 19.

Root, meanwhile, has also been named the Test captain following Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket. The Yorkshireman took charge of the side on an interim basis during the second Test against New Zealand last month after Stokes was deemed unavailable for selection following the nightclub controversy.

The right-handed batter will commence his second stint as Test captain. Leading the Three Lions from 2017 to 2022, Root already has the record for most games as Test captain with 65, along with the most wins, 27. 

“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. 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,” Joe Root said on the ECB website.

Fleming, on the other hand, is currently spending time with his family in New Zealand after his role with the Super Kings came to an end. The former New Zealand captain will fly to England towards the end of the summer to prepare for the Three Lions’ upcoming away series against South Africa in December. 

“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,” Stephen Fleming said on the ECB website.