Stephen Fleming has outlined an ambitious vision after taking charge of England’s Test side, with the former New Zealand captain making it clear that his long-term objective is to help England find their lost mojo. The newly appointed head coach has also placed the World Test Championship (WTC) firmly on his agenda as he begins a new chapter in English cricket.

Fleming addressed the media for the first time in his new role after signing a contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that runs through September 2030. He described the position as one of the most prestigious jobs in international cricket and said he was honoured to have been selected following a two-week recruitment process.

Stephen Fleming reveals his ultimate goal as England head coach

Fleming was clear about the standard he wants England to reach, revealing that becoming the No. 1 Test team in the world is his primary aspiration. England last occupied the top position in Test cricket in 2012.

“I would love to be in charge of the No.1 Test team in the world. That would be my aspiration,” Fleming said.

While the Ashes will naturally be one of the biggest attractions of his tenure, Fleming stressed that his plans extend beyond marquee series. England’s first assignment under him will be against South Africa in the winter, before attention turns towards a home Ashes series.

As a New Zealander, Fleming has followed the Ashes throughout his cricketing life and admitted that being part of the historic contest will be a major highlight. However, he also identified the development of England’s team identity as an immediate priority. He wants players to develop a stronger sense of belonging while allowing the style of play to emerge with significant input from the squad.

Working closely with Joe Root on England’s identity

Fleming has already started working with Test captain Joe Root as he looks to establish the foundations for his tenure. The new coach said the early discussions have focused not only on winning matches but also on ensuring England represents itself in the best possible manner.

“I have started the process. I have been in a lot of contact with Joe, and on this trip as well we have done some things to start this piece of work,” Fleming added.

He added that building the right identity would take time, but insisted it would be central to his approach. Fleming takes over from Brendon McCullum, who had been England’s Test coach since 2022. The change comes after an underwhelming period for the side over the previous 18 months.

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World Test Championship now high on Fleming’s agenda

The WTC is another major target for Fleming. England have failed to reach the final in any of the first three editions, but the new coach believes there is an opportunity to improve significantly. Asked about England’s approach to the competition, Fleming said the WTC was high on his agenda and described reaching its summit as an aspiration.

“It’s high (on the agenda), it’s aspirational. England could do much better than that. And even attitude just around the over rate, I think, 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? Now, I don’t say that lightly; there’s a lot of hard work to do, and players must be balanced around that… But it’s aspirational, and that’s why I’m here. That opportunity is real, but there’s a huge amount of work to do,” explained the ex-New Zealand skipper.

He also linked England’s over-rate issues to the broader identity and style of the team, arguing that every major trophy should be treated as a meaningful objective. Fleming acknowledged that considerable work lies ahead and that player workloads must be managed carefully. He also spoke positively about McCullum’s honesty regarding England’s recent struggles, while suggesting the former coach would recognise the opportunity that still lies ahead.

“That was one thing that will probably hurt him (McCullum) a little bit (underperformance) – I think he feels what I feel now, that there’s an opportunity around the corner. He was also realistic about what had gone on and just very honest,” Fleming added further.

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