Fleming expected to be named England Test coach

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Stephen Fleming has held several coaching roles in T20 franchise cricket since he reitred from playing in 2009

Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is expected to be appointed as England Test coach after the sacking of Brendon McCullum.

McCullum was fired earlier this month following a string of poor results and several off-field incidents, but remains in charge of England's white-ball sides.

Former England coach Andy Flower subsequently ruled himself out of the running to replace McCullum.

As first reported by the Telegraph,, external Fleming, 53, has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed his former international team-mate.

If appointed, Fleming will have a say - alongside director of men's cricket Rob Key and national selector Marcus North - in the appointment of a new Test captain, following the shock retirement of Ben Stokes from international cricket in June.

McCullum sacked as England Test head coach

Published12 JulyFlower rules himself out as England seek Test coach

Published17 JulyFlazball incoming? Fleming set to be Test head coach

Fleming would inherit a side that saw its momentum falter after a breathtaking start to the McCullum era.

McCullum won 10 out of 12 Tests in his first year in charge but since then, England have lost 18 and won 17 of 37 Tests.

They have not won a multi-match series since December 2024.

It is unclear whether Fleming would be in position to lead England in the three-Test series against Pakistan, which gets under way at Headingley on 19 August, or wait until December's tour of South Africa.

Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick and former skipper Joe Root, who led the side in Stokes' absence in the second Test against New Zealand, could fill the roles of head coach and captain, respectively, on an interim basis., external

Harry Brook is the current England vice-captain and received "100%" backing from Stokes to become his successor.

However the 27-year-old, who leads the white-ball sides, was overlooked for the role earlier in the summer.

His involvement in a nightclub incident last winter, when he was punched by a bouncer on the eve of a one-day international, was a contributing factor in that decision.

In addition to Flower, former Australian head coach Justin Langer was also expected to be a top contender for the England role.

However, on a recent appearance on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Langer said he had not been contacted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Former England batter Jonathan Trott, Richard Dawson, Gareth Batty and Australians Tom Moody, Darren Lehmann and Ryan Campbell were among the other names linked to the role.

The decision to remove McCullum came after the ECB hierarchy spent time reflecting on the situation surrounding the men's team, with the 4-1 Ashes hammering in Australia followed by a 2-1 home series defeat by New Zealand, including Stokes announcing his retirement during play in the third Test.

Former England and Kent batter Key was backed to retain his position following the Ashes and defeat by New Zealand. Key and a headhunting company conducted interviews with potential candidates.

Stokes created moments and the moments are no more

Published29 JuneFrom the ride to the rubble - how McCullum lost England Test job

Published12 JulyWho is Fleming?Unlike many of McCullum's other potential successors, Fleming has never previously worked as head coach of a national team.

However, since retiring from playing in 2009, he has been in demand on the franchise circuit, most notably enjoying a 17-year tenure as head coach of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings.

Fleming led CSK to five IPL titles from nine finals and two Champions League T20 crowns, as well as taking the helm at sister sides Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket and Joburg Super Kings in SA20.

The 53-year-old also spent two seasons in charge of Southern Brave in The Hundred, reaching the final in 2024.

No stranger to Test cricket, he made 111 appearances for New Zealand, scoring over 7,000 runs at 40.06, and remains the Black Caps' most successful captain with 28 wins from 80 matches.

Nor is he a stranger to the county game having spent time with Middlesex, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire - where he won the County Championship in 2005.

Get cricket news sent straight to your phone

ShortsPreviousNext1:06Kerr 'overwhelmed' by home Games experience. 00:01:06, play videoKerr 'overwhelmed' by home Games experience0:35'I'm embracing it' - Korda on pressure of being world number one 00:00:35, play video'I'm embracing it' - Korda on pressure of being world number one 0:59How did Infantino become Fifa president? 00:00:59, play videoHow did Infantino become Fifa president?0:43'Grateful to be back' - Hall after birth of son. 00:00:43, play video'Grateful to be back' - Hall after birth of son1:04'I can't wrap my head around it!' - Aggers on finger-clicking scandal. 00:01:04, play video'I can't wrap my head around it!' - Aggers on finger-clicking scandal0:45'I don't want to convince Bergvall to stay' - De Zerbi. 00:00:45, play video'I don't want to convince Bergvall to stay' - De Zerbi0:45'Just enjoy it' - Litchfield reflects on 2014 debut 00:00:45, play video'Just enjoy it' - Litchfield reflects on 2014 debut 0:40Family carried me to bronze - Wales' Hughes. 00:00:40, play videoFamily carried me to bronze - Wales' Hughes0:48Is the World Cup for sale? 00:00:48, play videoIs the World Cup for sale?0:45Charley Hull pulls scratchcard prank on caddie. 00:00:45, play videoCharley Hull pulls scratchcard prank on caddie0:33Evans thrilled to deliver Wales' first gold. 00:00:33, play videoEvans thrilled to deliver Wales' first gold1:16Why do Chelsea want to sign older players? 00:01:16, play videoWhy do Chelsea want to sign older players?0:56Local cricket match goes viral over finger-clicking claims. 00:00:56, play videoLocal cricket match goes viral over finger-clicking claimsTop storiesFifa opens disciplinary proceedings against Argentina

Fleming expected to be named England Test coach

Why finger-clicking 'scandal' has gripped sporting world - Agnew

Austin's adventurous 'British origin story' continues

Mary Beard and Martin Scorsese explore the Godfather of Athens

Infiltrating the dark online world of 'spycams'

Cleaning up unequal housework in Indonesia and Croatia

Is World Cup sell-off plan a step too far by Infantino?

Why finger-clicking 'scandal' has gripped sporting world - Agnew

The athlete who has never held her Olympic medal

Five things we've learned from first half of F1 season

Diomande's rapid and remarkable rise to Real Madrid

Hull & Woad provide hope for home Women's Open win

Is struggling Ramsay-Peaty nearing the end?

Idi Amin's boxer grandson determined to become new King of Scotland

After 16 days of chaos, can Italian football reset for new era?

Why Chelsea want to sign older players

Why can't Draper play, and why won't surgery help?

'I feel pain' - the British champion with no British passport. Video'I feel pain' - the British champion with no British passport

Cycling in rude health thanks to awesome Pogacar and stringent testing

Liverpool's centre-back situation and why Iraola must act

The feminist netball pioneer who set out to build 'physically perfect' women

Is 2026 the Commonwealth Games' last dance or a future-proofing revamp?