Fleming's Bold Plan: Can England Really Climb to No. 1?

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-21

England's new Test coach, Stephen Fleming, didn't waste any time. In his first press conference at Old Trafford on Sunday, the 53-year-old former New Zealand captain laid out a vision that's equal parts ambitious and refreshingly honest. He wants England to be the No. 1 Test team in the world. And he wants to win the World Test Championship. Simple, right? Well, not exactly—but that's the goal. Fleming signed a contract through September 2030 after a two-week recruitment process by the ECB. He'll officially take charge when England begin a three-match Test series in South Africa on December 17. Until then, he's got plenty to think about. ### The No. 1 Dream Let's be clear: England hasn't held the top spot in the ICC Test rankings since 2012. Australia currently sits at No. 1, and England? They're sixth in the 2025–2027 World Test Championship standings. They've never reached the WTC final in any of the three previous editions. But Fleming isn't shying away from the challenge. He called the England head coach job "one of the most prestigious roles in global sport" and said leading the world's top Test team is his ultimate personal aspiration. > "Players need to feel proud to represent England and feel part of something bigger than themselves." – Stephen Fleming That quote says a lot. It's not just about tactics or talent. It's about identity. ### Discipline Comes First Fleming knows England has a reputation problem. Over the past nine months, there have been several off-field incidents that made headlines for all the wrong reasons. - In June, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were suspended for a Test match against New Zealand after a nightclub incident at Lord's. - Last month, police handcuffed fast bowler Brydon Carse outside a nightclub in Derby. He missed two Tests against Pakistan. Charges were later dropped, but the Cricket Regulator is still investigating. Test captain Joe Root was visibly angry about the alcohol-related incidents. Fleming backed Root's hardline stance and praised him for it. He also confirmed he'd spoken privately with Ben Stokes, who retired from international cricket in June at age 35. "I respect that decision very much," Fleming said, adding he didn't ask Stokes to come back for the 2027 Ashes. ### Building on Bazball—But Smarter Fleming rejected the idea of calling his approach "Flemball." He joked it sounded like a medical condition. Instead, he plans to build on the aggressive foundations laid by Brendon McCullum and former captain Stokes. During their first two years, McCullum and Stokes transformed Test cricket with a fearless attacking mindset. But results stalled over the last 12 months. Fleming praised the courage behind that style, but emphasized that England must now adapt. "You can't just go out there and swing blindly," he explained. "You need to read the game, pick your moments, and execute under pressure." It's a balance between positivity and tactical decision-making. And that's exactly what Fleming brings to the table. ### The Ashes and Beyond England will host Australia in the next home Ashes series in summer 2027. Fleming, who grew up watching the rivalry in New Zealand, said he's immensely excited about coaching in it. "I've loved the Ashes my whole life," he said. "To be part of it now, from the inside, is a dream come true." But first, there's South Africa in December. Then the World Test Championship. Then the Ashes. The road is long, and the goals are high. But for the first time in a while, England has a clear plan—and a coach who isn't afraid to say what he wants. Will they get there? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: it won't be boring.