England replaced Brendon McCullum as their red-ball head coach with another New Zealander - Stephen Fleming - arguably the best Kiwi skipper of all time. Although Fleming was not with England during their recent whitewash of Pakistan at home, the Kiwi player has his sights set on bigger things now. England, under McCullum, were flamboyant, and Fleming, in his first press conference as England Test coach, acknowledged that he "loved the positive play and the freeing up of the England players, which was deemed to be a bit of a hurdle." The former Kiwi skipper, who served as Chennai Super Kings' head coach for 18 years, however, wants to just "take that and combine a bit of cricket sense in the key moments."<h2>Fleming shares his aspirations as England Test coach</h2>"I would love to be in charge of the No. 1 Test team in the world. That would be my aspiration... and as a New Zealander, I have watched and loved the Ashes all my cricketing life, so to be part of that is an absolute highlight. I can’t wait for that," Fleming said.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lot-of-things-to-learn-from-experienced-players-jayasuriya-backs-rohit-virat-for-2027-odi-world-cup-1789919254353">'Lot of things to learn..': Jayasuriya backs Rohit, Virat for 2027 ODI World Cup</a>He also pointed out England's past World Test Championship (WTC) performance, saying: "England could do much better than that; even the attitude around the over-rate comes down to identity and style of play. If that’s one of the pinnacle trophies in world cricket, why would we not be trying to get it along with every other marquee event that comes our way?”Regarding England players' recent off-the-field drama, Fleming added: "There is a piece of work there that has already begun, which is around our identity. There has been a lot of coverage around that. The way players represent England and the group is going to be really important to me."<h2>When do England play their next Test?</h2>England's next Test assignment is in December 2026, when they visit South Africa for a three-Test series running into January 2027. The Three Lions then play Australia in the 150th Anniversary Test in March before facing Bangladesh in a one-off Test in May. The much-awaited 2027 Ashes series then begins in June 2027.

Stephen Fleming replaced Brendon McCullum as England's Test coach, targeting the No. 1 ranking, WTC success, and the 2027 Ashes. His era starts away in South Africa in Dec 2026 before 2027 home clashes.

England replaced Brendon McCullum as their red-ball head coach with another New Zealander - Stephen Fleming - arguably the best Kiwi skipper of all time. Although Fleming was not with England during their recent whitewash of Pakistan at home, the Kiwi player has his sights set on bigger things now. England, under McCullum, were flamboyant, and Fleming, in his first press conference as England Test coach, acknowledged that he "loved the positive play and the freeing up of the England players, which was deemed to be a bit of a hurdle." The former Kiwi skipper, who served as Chennai Super Kings' head coach for 18 years, however, wants to just "take that and combine a bit of cricket sense in the key moments." Fleming shares his aspirations as England Test coach "I would love to be in charge of the No. 1 Test team in the world. That would be my aspiration... and as a New Zealander, I have watched and loved the Ashes all my cricketing life, so to be part of that is an absolute highlight. I can’t wait for that," Fleming said. Also Read - 'Lot of things to learn..': Jayasuriya backs Rohit, Virat for 2027 ODI World Cup He also pointed out England's past World Test Championship (WTC) performance, saying: "England could do much better than that; even the attitude around the over-rate comes down to identity and style of play. If that’s one of the pinnacle trophies in world cricket, why would we not be trying to get it along with every other marquee event that comes our way?” Regarding England players' recent off-the-field drama, Fleming added: "There is a piece of work there that has already begun, which is around our identity. There has been a lot of coverage around that. The way players represent England and the group is going to be really important to me." When do England play their next Test? England's next Test assignment is in December 2026, when they visit South Africa for a three-Test series running into January 2027. The Three Lions then play Australia in the 150th Anniversary Test in March before facing Bangladesh in a one-off Test in May. The much-awaited 2027 Ashes series then begins in June 2027.

Stephen Fleming replaced Brendon McCullum as England's Test coach, targeting the No. 1 ranking, WTC success, and the 2027 Ashes. His era starts away in South Africa in Dec 2026 before 2027 home clashes.

Fleming's aspirations as England Test coach include WTC, top ranking and Ashes

Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has ruled out any chance of reversing his international retirement for next year’s home Ashes, as also suggested by Australian coach Andrew McDonald.&nbsp;While McDonald felt that Stokes’ final homecoming for the 2027 series against Australia would be a fairytale ending to his decorated career, ECB’s managing director Rob Key also kept the door open for Stokes’ ‘unlikely’ comeback. Stokes, however, shut all those rumours but hinted at a future England coaching role once he is done playing. &nbsp;Ben Stokes shockingly announced his international retirement midway through the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in June, with the ECB making his decision public before tea on day four. While he enjoyed his final day on the field with a couple of wickets, much to the crowd’s cheers and a quickfire 30 at the top during the run chase, he claimed that he had nothing more to offer and that the four-year captaincy reign had consumed him completely.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wi-vs-pak-2nd-test-shafique-and-skipper-babar-lead-fightback-with-unbroken-168-run-stand-on-day-2-1785809243632">WI vs PAK, 2nd Test: Shafique and skipper Babar lead fightback with unbroken 168-run stand on Day 2</a> &nbsp;Even though he reversed his ODI retirement to feature at the 2023 World Cup in India, Stokes said he ‘definitely’ is not coming back to play the 2027 Ashes. &nbsp;"I'm doing my level three coaching now while I'm still playing, because when the day comes that I'm not playing anymore, I'd love to be able to have all that stuff signed off and done," Stokes said on the 'For the Love of Cricket' podcast. &nbsp;On his coaching plan, Stokes noted, "I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach. &nbsp;“And would I love to be coach of England one day? Absolutely. I just really like the idea of being in some form of leadership away from playing.”<h2>Root Over Brook for ENG's Test Captaincy Shocks Stokes</h2>While Harry Brook was the designated Test vice-captain when Stokes was leading the side, the ECB picked veteran and former skipper Joe Root as his replacement, while also naming Stephen Fleming as the new head coach, replacing Brendon McCullum.&nbsp;Although Stokes admitted to understanding the reasoning behind handing over the baton to Root, he questioned the message the board has or would send to Brook for overlooking him. &nbsp;"Even when I missed that Test match, I was like, 'Why is Brooky (not the captain?) -– he's vice-captain'. And I sort of got it. I understood the reasoning why they were saying it. &nbsp;"But I was still like, 'What message is that sending to him?' He's vice-captain. And then the captain is not playing, but he's not captain. What? &nbsp;"I had no leadership or captaincy experience when I took over,” he said.&nbsp;

Ben Stokes rules out a return for the 2027 Ashes, shutting down comeback speculation while revealing his ambition to coach England in the future.

Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has ruled out any chance of reversing his international retirement for next year’s home Ashes, as also suggested by Australian coach Andrew McDonald. While McDonald felt that Stokes’ final homecoming for the 2027 series against Australia would be a fairytale ending to his decorated career, ECB’s managing director Rob Key also kept the door open for Stokes’ ‘unlikely’ comeback. Stokes, however, shut all those rumours but hinted at a future England coaching role once he is done playing. Ben Stokes shockingly announced his international retirement midway through the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in June, with the ECB making his decision public before tea on day four. While he enjoyed his final day on the field with a couple of wickets, much to the crowd’s cheers and a quickfire 30 at the top during the run chase, he claimed that he had nothing more to offer and that the four-year captaincy reign had consumed him completely. Also read| WI vs PAK, 2nd Test: Shafique and skipper Babar lead fightback with unbroken 168-run stand on Day 2 Even though he reversed his ODI retirement to feature at the 2023 World Cup in India, Stokes said he ‘definitely’ is not coming back to play the 2027 Ashes. "I'm doing my level three coaching now while I'm still playing, because when the day comes that I'm not playing anymore, I'd love to be able to have all that stuff signed off and done," Stokes said on the 'For the Love of Cricket' podcast. On his coaching plan, Stokes noted, "I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach. “And would I love to be coach of England one day? Absolutely. I just really like the idea of being in some form of leadership away from playing.” Root Over Brook for ENG's Test Captaincy Shocks Stokes While Harry Brook was the designated Test vice-captain when Stokes was leading the side, the ECB picked veteran and former skipper Joe Root as his replacement, while also naming Stephen Fleming as the new head coach, replacing Brendon McCullum. Although Stokes admitted to understanding the reasoning behind handing over the baton to Root, he questioned the message the board has or would send to Brook for overlooking him. "Even when I missed that Test match, I was like, 'Why is Brooky (not the captain?) -– he's vice-captain'. And I sort of got it. I understood the reasoning why they were saying it. "But I was still like, 'What message is that sending to him?' He's vice-captain. And then the captain is not playing, but he's not captain. What? "I had no leadership or captaincy experience when I took over,” he said.

Ben Stokes rules out a return for the 2027 Ashes, shutting down comeback speculation while revealing his ambition to coach England in the future.&nbsp;

Ashes return ‘out of question’ but Stokes seeks future England coaching role

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Fleming's aspirations as England Test coach include WTC, top ranking and Ashes

Ashes return ‘out of question’ but Stokes seeks future England coaching role