England cricket has started a new era under the red-ball flag with the appointment of former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming as the England Test head coach. It’s a dramatic change in leadership in another sense as well, as Joe Root has come back into the job following the departure of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.
Fleming is coming to the job with no international head-coaching experience, but his record as a franchise cricketer is quite impressive. The 53-year-old played a key role in establishing Chennai Super Kings as an IPL powerhouse and took them to five Indian Premier League championships as head coach. The New Zealand legend, who is known for his quiet nature in the dressing room, tactical wisdom, and player management skills, is currently in a rather different situation, trying to turn England’s Test cricket fortunes around.
The appointment has added weight to him by his remarkable playing career. Fleming also played 111 Tests for New Zealand and is the most successful Test captain in the Black Caps’ history with 28 wins in 80 games. Known for his good sense in his field placings and his cool head in his handling of the game, rather than emotion or over-dramatic situations, he was a player England sorely needed after a poor stretch of play that saw the team down in the Ashes and lose the home series to New Zealand.
The hire is also the end of the red-ball spell of the iconic “Bazball” era. McCullum, who was previously New Zealand’s side, will continue to lead England in white-ball cricket, and Fleming will helm the Test side. The partnership might present England with a way to keep intact its national identity in both formats of the game but use a different approach to Test and limited-overs cricket.
One of Fleming’s initial challenges will be to get England ready for their three-match home Test series against Pakistan. Root has returned as England captain, and a mastermind who has won the IPL has joined the dressing room, with the team opting for experience, calmness, and tactical discipline.
Now can there be any doubt that Fleming can bring his Chennai Super Kings magic to the pressure cooker of Test cricket? That’s the big one that is plaguing cricket fans. His appointment is a gamble, but an interesting one in England cricket for years.
