England reappoints Joe Root as Test captain, names New Zealander Stephen Fleming as head coach

Published Aug 8, 03:05 AM UTC

England have reappointed Joe Root as Test captain and named former New Zealand batter Stephen Fleming as head coach, following the departures of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. Root, 35, England's all-time leading Test run-scorer, previously captained the side in a record 64 matches between 2017 and 2022, winning 27. He returns after Stokes retired from international cricket in June. Root will lead England in the three-Test home series against Pakistan starting August 19. Fleming, 53, takes charge of a team looking to rebuild after a decline in results and off-field incidents that led to McCullum's dismissal. Fleming has built a formidable reputation in franchise cricket, notably with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, but has no previous experience coaching a red-ball international team. Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will lead the side on an interim basis for the Pakistan series before Fleming assumes the role.