Stephen Fleming brings Chennai Super Kings flavour to England's Test coaching setup
Stephen Fleming has brought a Chennai Super Kings flavour to England’s Test coaching setup, recruiting two of his former colleagues at the Indian Premier League franchise, James Foster and Eric Simons, to strengthen his backroom staff ahead of the winter tour of South Africa.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed the national coaching structure for its men’s Test and white-ball teams, with Fleming set to lead the Test side and Brendon McCullum continuing as white-ball head coach.
Fleming, who enjoyed a long association with Chennai Super Kings as head coach, will work alongside a familiar face in Simons, who was part of the franchise’s coaching setup between 2018 and 2026. Simons has also worked with India men’s team as a bowling consultant and previously served as South Africa men’s head coach.
Foster, meanwhile, brings experience across international cricket and franchise leagues. The former England wicketkeeper previously worked as a white-ball consultant for England between 2018 and 2022 before joining New Zealand’s coaching setup. He has also coached Northern Superchargers in The Hundred and worked in the IPL, Pakistan Super League and Bangladesh Premier League.
The appointments give Fleming a blend of established international experience and familiarity as England prepare for their upcoming Test assignment in South Africa.
ENGLAND’S WIDER COACHING SETUP
Fleming’s Test coaching team will also include Richard Dawson and Marcus Trescothick. Dawson returns to England’s coaching structure after two years as Glamorgan head coach, guiding the Welsh county to promotion to Division One of the County Championship in 2025 and helping them retain their place in the top division in 2026. He has previously coached England Lions and England Under-19s.
Dawson has also taken on the newly created role of Elite National Spin Bowling Lead, joining Mike Yardy, appointed Elite National Batting Lead, and Troy Cooley, who began work as Elite National Pace Bowling Lead earlier this year.
McCullum’s white-ball coaching group will feature Sarah Taylor, Jeetan Patel and Tim Southee, while former England batter Kevin Pietersen will contribute in a mentoring role.
The respective coaching teams will take charge from England’s upcoming tours of South Africa in Test cricket and Australia in white-ball cricket, as the ECB reshapes its support structure across formats.
– Ends
