Story perspectives

Stephen Fleming Appointed England Test Coach, Root Returns

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 11:54 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

England appoints former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming as Test coach.
Brendon McCullum remains England’s ODI and T20I coach after Fleming’s appointment.
Joe Root resumes as England Test captain following Ben Stokes’s retirement.
Kevin Pietersen joins the white-ball staff to mentor players, focusing on Harry Brook.
Fleming says England must play smart, adaptable cricket to reach world No 1 and win the World Test Championship.

History

Historical Context

In 2005 England ended a 16-year Ashes drought, winning the series 2–1 under captain Michael Vaughan and coach Duncan Fletcher, which lifted England to second in the ICC Test rankings in December 2005. Stephen Fleming’s appointment as Test coach, alongside former star Kevin Pietersen and captain Joe Root, mirrors that strategic overhaul, aiming to replicate the 2005 turnaround.

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Story summary

England appoints former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming as Test coach.
Brendon McCullum remains England’s ODI and T20I coach after Fleming’s appointment.
Joe Root resumes as England Test captain following Ben Stokes’s retirement.
Kevin Pietersen joins the white-ball staff to mentor players, focusing on Harry Brook.
Fleming says England must play smart, adaptable cricket to reach world No 1 and win the World Test Championship.

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