Stephen Fleming 53-year-old appears set to succeed Brendon McCullum as England men’s Test head coach after the 2‑1 series defeat to New Zealand. He recently left his role as head coach of Chennai Super Kings, where he has been since 2009, winning a record five IPL titles.

England’s new coach will need to revive a side that lost eight of its last 12 matches, including a 2‑2 home draw with India and a 4‑1 Ashes defeat in Australia. The upcoming three‑Test series against Pakistan starts at Headingley on August 19; Marcus Trescothick could act as interim if Fleming cannot start immediately.

England also lacks a permanent Test captain after Ben Stokes retired; Joe Root has stepped in for the second Test. After the South Africa tour, England will face Australia in a 150th‑anniversary Test in Melbourne in March before the 2027 Ashes.