Fleming makes English coach development a priority in new Test role

Stephen Fleming has made developing English coaches a priority of his tenure as England Test head coach, outlining plans to involve county staff and former internationals in the national setup. According to BBC Sport's reporting of his BBC Radio 5 Live interview, the New Zealander also confirmed he will spend part of next summer watching county cricket before the home Ashes series.

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Fleming said he believed national teams should primarily be coached by someone from their own country, while expressing gratitude for his appointment. His plans include occasionally inviting county coaches and former England players into the environment. He described a desire to draw on expertise already available within English cricket while supporting development in the domestic game, rather than limiting that work to his immediate staff.

The backroom team announced last week includes former England opener Marcus Trescothick, former wicketkeeper James Foster and former spinner Richard Dawson. Trescothick led the Test side on an interim basis earlier this year. Jonathan Trott is also about to begin a spell leading England Lions; both Trott and Dawson were considered for the senior Test role before Fleming was appointed.

Fleming visited counties in September and said he had enjoyed reconnecting with people he knew from his playing career who now hold coaching or leadership positions. He previously played for Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and Middlesex. His commitment to watching domestic matches follows criticism of the limited time predecessor Brendon McCullum spent around county cricket during his four years leading the Test side, BBC Sport reported.

Appointed in July, Fleming did not take charge for the Pakistan series in August and September. His first assignment will instead be the three-Test tour of South Africa in December and January, with the squad due to be announced in the first week of November. McCullum remains England's white-ball coach following the change in Test leadership.

Fleming also discussed England's spin options after Shoaib Bashir became the only specialist red-ball spinner awarded a full central contract last week. Mason Crane and Liam Patterson-White received development deals. Fleming presented Bashir as a source of continuity but said other spinners were pressing for opportunities, suggesting conditions in Bangladesh could warrant taking two or three. He did not confirm selections for that two-Test tour in February.