Stephen Fleming Appointed England's Test Head Coach

England have confirmed Stephen Fleming as their new Test head coach. The former New Zealand captain takes over a role that's been vacant since Brendon McCullum's exit from the red-ball job last month.

Fleming replaces McCullum, who was removed as Test coach after a rough patch of results. That run included a 4-1 Ashes loss and a home series defeat to New Zealand. McCullum stays on as England's white-ball coach, so this is a straight swap in the Test dugout only.

Fleming brings a long coaching résumé to the role. He spent close to two decades in charge of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, winning five titles and turning the franchise into the most successful team in the competition's history. That partnership ended earlier this month after CSK missed the playoffs three seasons running.

As a player, Fleming captained New Zealand in 80 Tests, more than anyone else in the country's history. He retired in 2008 with over 7,000 Test runs to his name. His switch into coaching started at CSK in 2009 and has now led him to one of the biggest jobs in international cricket.

Fleming inherits an England side coming off back-to-back tough results in the format. The ECB had been weighing several names for the position, including former players Andy Flower and Justin Langer, before settling on the New Zealander.

England's next Test assignment is the Ashes next summer, giving Fleming time to work with the squad before facing his toughest test yet in the new role.