Sheffield’s Joe Root is back as England captain

Joe Root is back as England’s Test captain.

New Zealander Stephen Fleming has been confirmed as England’s new red ball head coach with Root returning to his role after Ben Stokes’ retirement.

Five-time Indian Premier League winner Fleming will replace compatriot Brendon McCullum, who lost his role in charge of the Test set-up after a 2-1 home series loss to New Zealand in June, which followed a disastrous Ashes campaign.

Ben Stokes stepped down as Test captain and retired from international cricket after defeat at Trent Bridge last month and the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Thursday that Root will step up to fill the void.

The decision to return to Root, who has captained England in 65 Tests, will allow all-format player Harry Brook to focus on the white-ball captaincy ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Root will resume his reign as captain in the three-match series with Pakistan in August, but ex-Chennai Super Kings coach Fleming will not be in charge and Marcus Trescothick will instead act as interim head coach with the former New Zealand captain back in his homeland to spend time with his family before flying to the UK later in the summer to start preparations for the South Africa Test tour in December.

Fleming said: “There is a lot of young talent in and around the team and our aim is to help them fulfil their potential as world-class cricketers.

“I’m particularly looking forward to working with Joe Root as captain – a generational talent who has achieved so much already.

“There is still plenty more to come from him, and I’m excited to support him so he can enjoy and thrive in the role in what is a different context to his first stint.”

Root won 27 Tests during his first spell as England captain between 2017 and 2022.

“It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to be England men’s Test captain again,” Root said.

“The Test captaincy is a difficult but hugely rewarding job and, after enjoying a brief taste of it again working with Baz McCullum last month, I am excited to lead this next generation of players forward.

“The opportunity to do that alongside Stephen is also a huge motivator.

“He has proved over a long period of time that he is an exceptional leader with a great knowledge of the game, and I am looking forward to working with him and helping to build a winning environment.”