Stephen Fleming replaces Brendon McCullum as England's Test head coach

England has named Stephen Fleming as its Men's Test head coach, replacing one New Zealander with another.He fills the space left by Brendon McCullum, who was fired earlier this month following a string of poor results and several off-field incidents.In an announcement on Thursday night (NZT), the England and Wales Cricket Board also named Joe Root as returning captain.Fleming, who played 111 Tests for New Zealand between 1994 and 2008, stepped down as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach earlier this month after 18 years with the Indian Premier League franchise."Fleming is one of the most highly regarded coaches in world cricket," the board said."As a player Fleming was New Zealand's longest-serving (80 Tests) and most successful Test captain (28 wins). He played for Middlesex, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire where also enjoyed success in captaining Notts to a drought-breaking County Championship title in 2005."It said Fleming was chosen unanimously "following a rigorous process, which involved numerous high-quality candidates".England's next series is against Pakistan next month. Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim head coach, with Fleming due to start in time for the winter tour to South Africa."This is to allow Fleming to spend time with his family in New Zealand after leaving his long-term association with CSK earlier this month. Fleming is set to fly to the UK later this summer."Fleming said he was "incredibly excited" to be appointed to "one of the most prestigious coaching positions in world cricket"."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," he said.England’s captain Harry Brook (L) interacts with team head coach Brendon McCullum on March 4, 2026.PUNIT PARANJPE / AFP"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."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."McCullum, who played under Fleming in the Black Caps, will remain England's white ball coach and the pair will be required to work closely together.Other candidates mentioned once McCullum was sacked were Jonathon Trott, Tom Moody, Justin Langer and Andy Flower.