Fleming’s IPL success puts him top of England’s Test coach shortlist

Fleming leads the race Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is the frontrunner to replace Brendon McCullum as England’s Test head coach. McCullum was axed from the Test role but stays on as white-ball coach. Coached CSK for 18 years, winning 5 IPL titles and reaching 10 finals. England links: Played for Middlesex, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and coached Southern Brave in The Hundred. NZ teammate and captain. ECB sees coordination with the white-ball setup as a plus. Andy Flower turned down the job to stay with RCB and London Spirit. Other names considered: Richard Dawson, Jonathan Trott, Tom Moody, Justin Langer. Langer says no one from ECB reached out. Immediate challenges Timing : ECB could name him before the home Pakistan series starting Aug 19. If not ready, Marcus Trescothick may take interim charge. Appoint Ben Stokes’ successor as Test captain — likely Joe Root interim or Harry Brook — and prep for 10 Tests before Ashes 2027. Fleming is a five-time IPL-winning coach with CSK, and has also coached their sister franchises in the SA20 and MLC. He has occasionally worked with New Zealand as a consultant coach on a short-term basis and has extensive experience within English cricket after spells with Middlesex, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire as a player and Southern Brave as a coach. With McCullum still in post as England's white-ball coach, at least until his contract expires at the end of next year, Fleming's dynamic with his former New Zealand team-mate will be an important consideration. Fleming and McCullum are close friends, and have also shared business interests together. Fleming has just left CSK and is now seen as ECB’s top pick to steady England’s red-ball side through a transition period, with experience, tactical nous, and a working relationship with McCullum seen as key advantages. Pakistan series timing uncertain It’s not yet clear if Fleming will be in charge for the 3-Test series vs Pakistan starting Aug 19 at Headingley. The ECB won’t rush the appointment. Marcus Trescothick could take interim charge if needed. The ECB’s primary focus is beating Australia in next summer’s Ashes — a series they haven’t won since 2015. They’re prepared to wait for the right candidate rather than force a quick hire. The ECB views the next 10 Tests as a runway to build toward the Ashes. If that means Fleming starts in South Africa in December instead of vs Pakistan in August, they’re fine with that. The ECB may yet find a role for either Dawson or Trott in the England set-up. Dawson has impressed England's management since taking over at Glamorgan, where he is under contract until the end of the 2028 season, and previously worked as an assistant coach to Matthew Mott in white-ball cricket. Trott is a free agent after leaving his role with Afghanistan. Justin Langer, another name linked with the vacancy, confirmed on Tuesday that he had not received any contact from the ECB. Most of England's Test players are involved in the ongoing season of the Hundred, which runs until August 16, while Shoaib Bashir, Emilio Gay and Ollie Robinson have been playing in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.