Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Stephen Fleming Targets England’s Rise to Number One in Tests
Stephen Fleming is England’s new coach for Test cricket.
Test cricket is the longer format of the game.
He wants England to become the best Test team in the world.
England are currently ranked fifth.
Fleming will officially take charge when England tour South Africa later this year.
He was appointed at the end of July but could not join the team for its series against Pakistan.
England won that series 3-0.
Fleming joked that “Flemball” sounded like a medical condition and said he wants good cricket sense in important moments.
Stephen Fleming wants England to become the world’s top-ranked Test team.
England currently sit fifth in the Test rankings.
Fleming will take over as England’s red-ball coach during the tour of South Africa later this year.
He said key moments should involve better cricket judgment, rather than simply following a fixed style.
Fleming missed England’s 3-0 series victory over Pakistan after being appointed in late July.
- Who
- Stephen Fleming and the England Test team.
- What
- Fleming has been appointed England’s new red-ball coach and wants the team to become the world’s No. 1 Test side.
- When
- He was appointed at the end of July and is due to take over during the South Africa tour later this year; he held his first press conference on Sunday.
- Where
- England’s next coaching transition will take place around its tour of South Africa.
- Why
- Fleming wants England to improve its decision-making and cricket sense in key moments while pursuing the top Test ranking.
- New coach
- Stephen Fleming
- Team coached
- England’s Test team
- Current Test ranking
- Fifth
- Coaching start
- England’s tour of South Africa later this year
- Appointment
- End of July
- Recent series result
- England defeated Pakistan 3-0
- Coaching objective
- Become the No. 1 Test team in the world