Can Fleming and Root bring success to England? episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 3, 2026 · 51 MIN

Can Fleming and Root bring success to England?

from Test Match Special · host BBC Radio 5 Live

James Gregg is joined by Sir Alastair Cook, Steven Finn and, Alex Hartley who look at what’s ahead for Stephen Fleming, who has been appointed as the new England Test head coach - replacing his former New Zealand teammate Brendan McCullum.   Joe Root has been made captain for a second time - 4 years after stepping down.   Fleming will take charge after England’s three match Test series against Pakistan, with Marcus Trescothick taking interim charge for that series.   Fleming’s first Test will come on England’s tour of South Africa in December.   Does he have what it takes to bring that winning feeling back to the England team?   Timecodes: 00:00 Intro 00:30 Alex’s ice cream prank 01:30 Stephen Fleming appointment 08:10 England Director of Men’s Cricket Rob Key 17:20 How across it will Fleming be? 22:18 Have England wasted the summer? 26:37 How will Fleming’s first few weeks look? 33:20 Joe Root captain again 44:20 Root’s record 48:00 Will we see Ben Stokes come back?

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 3, 2026

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