LONDON: Experience batter Joe Root has been reappointed as England’s Test captain, marking his second spell in charge, while former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has been named the team’s new head coach.
The appointments follow a major shake-up in England’s Test setup after Brendon McCullum was removed from the Test coaching role earlier this month and Ben Stokes retired from international cricket.
Root, the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history, previously captained England from 2017 to 2022 before handing over the role to Stokes.
The 35-year-old returns to the position following England’s 2-1 Test series defeat to New Zealand in June, which led to Stokes’ departure.
Having led England in a record 65 Test matches, Root recently served as stand-in captain during the second Test against New Zealand.
He will begin his second tenure with next month’s three-Test series against Pakistan, before leading England in the home Ashes series against Australia next summer.
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Meanwhile, 53-year-old Stephen Fleming replaces his former New Zealand teammate McCullum as England’s Test head coach. McCullum, however, will remain in charge of England’s white-ball teams despite stepping down from the Test coaching role.
