Fleming a 'big reason' for Root's return as England captain

Joe Root stated that Stephen Fleming's arrival as England's test coach was a "big reason" he agreed to resume his role as captain. Root takes over from Ben Stokes, who retired after the recent home series against New Zealand. Fleming, a compatriot of former coach Brendon McCullum, replaces him after McCullum's four-year tenure concluded last month. McCullum continues to coach England's white-ball teams.

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If I'm being brutally honest, it was a big reason why I wanted to do it. I'm very excited by the way he sees the game, where he sees us sit as a team, and the work that we have to do to get to where we want to get to. All of that got me very excited about taking this role on.

"If I'm being brutally honest, it was a big reason why I wanted to do it," Root told the England and Wales Cricket Board. "I'm very excited by the way he sees the game, where he sees us sit as a team, and the work that we have to do to get to where we want to get to. All of that got me very excited about taking this role on."

Root added that Fleming's extensive experience and past achievements as a player and coach were significant factors. "He's obviously got a wealth of experience and done some amazing things within the game as a player and as a coach, and I'm very much looking forward to the next little while, and us trying to build something pretty special together." Fleming previously coached Chennai Super Kings for 17 years in the Indian Premier League before departing last month.

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He's obviously got a wealth of experience and done some amazing things within the game as a player and as a coach, and I'm very much looking forward to the next little while, and us trying to build something pretty special together.

Root captained England from 2017 to 2022 before Stokes took over. He hinted that the attacking mindset adopted during the Stokes-McCullum era would be maintained. "The last four years have been the most fun I've had in professional cricket...," Root said. "Clearly, the last little while is probably what's fresh in everyone's mind, but you're looking at a four-year period where we did a lot of amazing things. I've taken a lot from that, and I feel it will be a big part of how I want to approach things moving forward as a leader of this team." England is scheduled to host Pakistan for a three-test series starting on August 19 in Leeds.

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The last four years have been the most fun I've had in professional cricket... Clearly, the last little while is probably what's fresh in everyone's mind, but you're looking at a four-year period where we did a lot of amazing things. I've taken a lot from that, and I feel it will be a big part of how I want to approach things moving forward as a leader of this team.