Fleming a 'big reason' for Root's return as England captain

Joe Root said Stephen Fleming’s appointment as England’s Test coach was a “big reason” he agreed to return as captain of the squad.

Root replaced Ben ​Stokes after the all-rounder retired following the home series against New Zealand. ‌Fleming succeeds compatriot Brendon McCullum, whose four-year Test tenure ended last month, though he remains England’s white-ball coach.

“If I’m being brutally honest, it was a big reason why I wanted ​to do it,” Root told the England and Wales Cricket Board.

“I’m very ​excited by the way he sees the game, where he ⁠sees us sit as a team, and the work that we have to ​do to get to where we want to get to. All of that ​got me very excited about taking this role on.”

“He’s obviously got a wealth of experience and done some amazing things within the game as a player and as a coach, and ​I’m very much looking forward to the next little while, and us ​trying to build something pretty special together.”

Former New Zealand captain Fleming coached Chennai Super Kings for ‌17 ⁠years in the Indian Premier League before leaving last month.

Root named England Test captain, Fleming appointed coach

Root led England as their full-time Test captain between 2017 and 2022 before he was replaced by Stokes.

Stokes and McCullum championed a take-no-prisoners approach, which endeared them to the fans and ​Root hinted he and ​Fleming would like ⁠to retain that attacking mindset.

“The last four years have been the most fun I’ve had in professional cricket…,” said ​the 35-year-old.

“Clearly, the last little while is probably what’s fresh ​in everyone’s ⁠mind, but you’re looking at a four-year period where we did a lot of amazing things.

“I’ve taken a lot from that, and I feel it will be ⁠a big ​part of how I want to approach things ​moving forward as a leader of this team.”

England host Pakistan for a three-Test series beginning in ​Leeds on August 19.