Overview
- Fleming formally began in-country duties and held his first full media briefings on Saturday as England’s Test head coach, saying his aim is to return the team to the No.1 Test ranking and to win the Ashes.
- He visited county sides and met Ben Stokes in Durham, and he said he will not ask Stokes to reverse his June retirement because Stokes appeared ‘‘at peace’’ with the decision.
- Fleming pledged to keep the positive, attacking traits of the McCullum–Stokes era while adding more planning and ‘‘cricket sense’’ to avoid taking unnecessary risks in key moments.
- He emphasised a reset on player conduct and standards after a summer of off-field incidents, and confirmed Brydon Carse faces no criminal charges after Derbyshire Police closed their inquiry.
- Fleming missed the recent Pakistan Tests for family commitments, has yet to finalise his backroom staff, and will take charge for his first full series in South Africa starting in Johannesburg on 17 December.