England name Fleming as Test head coach but unavailable for Pakistan Tests, Brook ignored for captaincy role

England Cricket Board (ECB) on July 30 announced former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has their head coach for Test cricket. Fleming will succeed Brendon McCullum who continues to be head coach for the white-ball sides. Fleming recently stepped down as the head coach of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and their sister franchises.

"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,” Fleming said in an official statement.

ALSO READ: Gill consulting specialists for chronic neck pain, big fitness update on Bumrah & Sudharsan ahead of Sri Lanka Test series

Fleming to skip Pakistan Test series

However, Fleming won’t join the England team for the upcoming three-Test series against Pakistan next month. The former BlackCaps opener will begin his coaching career at England with the away Test series against South Africa. The three-Test series against the Proteas will begin on December 17. For the Pakistan Test series at home commencing on August 19, assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will serve as head coach.

ALSO READ: Stokes bowled for golden duck but Durham recovers from 97/6 to chase down 327 as Rhodes scores unbeaten 148

Brook snubbed, Root picked as Test captain

Fleming is excited to work with Joe Root who has returned as Test captain. Root has become the Test captain again after Ben Stokes' retirement. An outgoing Stokes had backed Harry Brook to take over the role but the white-ball captain won't take charge of the Test team.    

Root's Test captaincy record 

Root had earlier captained England's Test side from 2017 to 2022. He had recently returned as captain for one Test after Stokes was unavailable due to enquiry over infamous nightclub incident. Root captained in the second Test of the series which England lost and were far behind in the over rate as well, facing a 12-point penalty in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. 

Overall, Root has registered 27 wins from 65 Tests as skipper. Under his leadership, England lost 27 Tests whereas 11 ended in a draw. His Test win percentage is 41.53.