Photo via BBC Sport

England coach should be English, suggests Fleming

England’s new Test coach, New Zealander Stephen Fleming, has called for the national team to be led by an English coach, marking a shift in focus for the future of domestic cricket leadership. Fleming, who takes charge of his first Test series in South Africa this December, joins a long line of overseas coaches—including Zimbabweans Duncan Fletcher and Andy Flower, Australians Trevor Bayliss and Matthew Mott, and fellow Kiwi Brendon McCullum—who have led England’s men’s team since 1999.

Only two Englishmen, Peter Moores and Chris Silverwood, have held the Test coaching role in that time, while Ashley Giles briefly coached the white-ball side. Fleming’s backroom staff, announced last week, includes former England players Marcus Trescothick, James Foster, and Richard Dawson, alongside Jonathan Trott, who will soon lead the England Lions.

Fleming emphasized developing English coaches as a priority, hinting at greater integration of county coaches and former players into the national setup—a contrast to McCullum’s tenure, which drew criticism for limited engagement with the domestic game. Fleming, who played for Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, and Middlesex, also plans to spend time observing county cricket next summer, reinforcing his commitment to grassroots development.

Up nextCricket· 3h ago

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