Joe Root hails Stephen Fleming's vision for England Test team, excited for second captaincy stint

Joe Root has hailed incoming England Test coach Stephen Fleming as a major reason behind his enthusiasm for leading the side again, saying the former New Zealand captain's vision has left him excited about the team's future. England confirmed Fleming as their new Test coach earlier this week after parting ways with Brendon McCullum last month. The 53-year-old will officially begin his tenure later this year. Root returned as England captain during the second Test against New Zealand in June after Ben Stokes was removed from the role following a nightclub brawl incident after the series opener. Although Stokes was later cleared and returned to play his final Test, Root retained the captaincy, marking his second stint as England's Test skipper. Speaking about his first interactions with Fleming, Root said the conversations immediately convinced him that the pair shared a similar outlook. "I've admired him from afar, first as a player and recently as a coach. To get the chance to work together is going to be great fun. Once I'd spoken to Stephen about it and saw his energy and excitement for it, and saw we're very aligned on it, I got excited very quickly. Hopefully, we can work and build on a lot of the good things that have happened over the last four years," Root told BBC Sport. Root also paid tribute to McCullum and Stokes, crediting the former leadership duo for transforming England's Test setup and changing his own perspective on the game. "I think Brendon and Ben did a brilliant job, in many ways, of turning things around and getting us in a position where hopefully now we can carry that forward in a slightly different way. Hopefully, we can work and build on a lot of the good things that have happened over the last four years. "The last four years have been the most fun I've had in professional cricket, and a big part of that was down to the way they [McCullum and Stokes] got me to see the game. "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,” he added.

England's next Test assignment is a three-match home series against Pakistan, beginning on August 19 at Headingley. Fleming, however, will not take charge for that series. Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will oversee the team before Fleming officially starts his tenure during England's series against South Africa in December.