Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has set his sights firmly on returning England to the top of the ICC Test rankings and making the World Test Championship (WTC) a genuine priority, following his appointment as the side's new Test head coach. Fleming laid out his ambitions at his first press conference in the role on 20 September 2026, describing the assignment as 'one of the most prestigious jobs in cricket.'

Fleming's core ambitions

'I would love to be in charge of the No.1 Test team in the world,' Fleming said. 'That would be my aspiration.' England last held the top Test ranking in 2012, and Fleming has been explicit that closing that gap is not merely aspirational rhetoric — it is the benchmark against which he expects to be judged.

He has signed a contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) running through September 2030, following a two-week recruitment process. His first assignment will be a series against South Africa in winter, before a high-profile home Ashes series that he described as 'an absolute highlight.'

WTC attitude: a sharp departure from the past

One of Fleming's most pointed remarks concerned England's historically relaxed approach to the World Test Championship, a competition they have failed to reach the final of in any of its three editions. 'It's high on the agenda — it's aspirational,' he said of the WTC. 'England could do much better than that.'

He connected the team's poor WTC record — partly a result of over-rate penalties — to broader questions of identity and professionalism. '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?' he said, though he acknowledged that 'there's a lot of hard work to do, and players must be balanced around that.'

Ashes and team identity

Fleming, a New Zealander who has watched the Ashes throughout his cricketing life, was unambiguous about his excitement at being involved in the rivalry. 'As a New Zealander, I have watched and loved the Ashes all my cricketing life. To be part of that is an absolute highlight, so I can't wait for that.'

Beyond results, he spoke at length about rebuilding the team's sense of belonging. 'The way players represent England and the group is going to be really important to me. The style of play will come with that also. That will be more player-directed, but I feel very strongly about finding a sense of belonging within the group,' he said.

Working with Joe Root and taking over from McCullum

Fleming confirmed he has already begun collaborating with England Test captain Joe Root. '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,' he said, adding that the goal was not only winning matches but ensuring England 'represent the England cricket team in its best form.'

He takes over from Brendon McCullum, who held the role from 2022. Fleming was candid about the context of his appointment, acknowledging that England's underwhelming performances over the last 18 months would have 'probably hurt' McCullum. He described his own transition from outside observer to coach-in-waiting as gradual, saying that watching the team's 'good and bad' as a bystander sharpened his analytical lens considerably.

'One of the dark arts of coaching is timing,' Fleming said. 'My honest appraisal — it's a great time to be the head coach. I think there's a real opportunity with the players coming through.' How quickly he can convert that opportunity into results — starting against South Africa this winter — will be the first real test of his tenure.