‘Really good appointment’: Wagner Backs Fleming as new England Test coach

Sport Nation • July 31st, 2026 9:21 am

Stephen Fleming | Photo: Evan Barnes/Photosport

Former NZ cricketer Neil Wagner has backed Kiwi Stephen Fleming’s appointment as England’s new Test cricket head coach, describing it as a strong move for the side.

Replacing fellow former Blackcaps captain Brendon McCullum, Fleming takes on the role after spending many years coaching in T20 franchise cricket around the world, where he has built a reputation as one of the most respected figures in the game.

“I think Flem is a pretty good man to do that job,” Wagner told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy just hours after the announcement, which will also see Joe Root return as England’s red-ball captain.

Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum celebrate a New Zealand victory over Australia in 2007 | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/AAP

He believes Fleming's role came after support from the English players.

“With all these T20 leagues around the world, players have a big say now. They get to experience these coaches closer than they ever had before so no doubt there would have been players probably pushing it as well," he explained.

“The experience he's got, the knowledge and the calmness he's got, I think in all fairness I think it's a really good appointment.”

However, coming from T20, Wagner admitted the transition may come with challenges.

“It's a different beast going obviously from such a long time coaching T20 cricket now and go do Test cricket, a completely different format.

“But with so much going on, so much media noise and you having to control the media more than anything else plus your players, he's got a massive job at hand.”