Fleming targets a return to top

LONDON (AP):

England’s new Test cricket coach Stephen Fleming has set his sights on taking the team back to number one in the world for the first time in more than a decade.

The former New Zealand captain was appointed in July but only recently took over the role after missing the 3-0 series victory over Pakistan because of family commitments.

Fleming wasted little time in outlining his ultimate aim: lifting England from fifth in the ICC Test rankings back to the summit for the first time since 2012, while improving the team’s poor record in the World Test Championship.

“I would love to be in charge of the number-one Test team in the world. That would be my aspiration,” he said. “There have been some really good moments (for this side), but I think there’s more to give.

“One of the dark arts of coaching is timing, and my honest appraisal is that it’s a great time to be the head coach. It’s one of the most prestigious jobs in cricket. I was very honoured to be asked. The opportunity to take up this role was one you don’t turn down.”

England have never come close to reaching the WTC final in the four editions since it was launched and currently sit sixth in the standings, but Fleming is keen to oversee a shift in focus when it comes to that competition.

“England could do much better than that,” Fleming said.

“If that’s one of the pinnacle trophies in world cricket, why would we not be trying to get it along with every other marquee event that comes our way?

“It’s aspirational and that’s why I’m here. That opportunity is real, but there’s a huge amount of work to do.”

Stokes return unlikely

That work does not include trying to convince former captain Ben Stokes to reverse his decision to retire from international cricket and play a role in next year’s Ashes.

Stokes has continued playing for Durham and has also signed with Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League. Speculation that he could make a dramatic return for one final crack at Australia next summer, however, continues to persist.

“I went up to Durham and spoke to Ben, which was good. He’s really happy and seemed to be really at peace with his decision,” Fleming said.

“My view is, when a player decides to retire, it’s a big decision and I have the utmost respect for that decision, so that’s where it sits.”

Tour of love

Fleming spent his first week in England meeting with captain Joe Root, Director of Cricket Rob Key, and visiting five County Championship matches in three days.

On Saturday, he was at Emirates Old Trafford to link up with his predecessor, Brendon McCullum, who remains in charge of the one-day and Twenty20 sides.

Fleming, who won a title with Nottinghamshire in 2005 and previously played for both Middlesex and Yorkshire, has also begun rebuilding his connection with the domestic game, which often felt alienated under McCullum and Stokes.

“It’s been a tour of love,” he said. “I have been kissing county coaches’ heads, meeting new players, reintroducing myself to players I played with who are now in positions of authority at counties.

“I have a deep respect for the county game and what it can offer. It is a key part of English cricket, so to reconnect, do some miles on the M1 and immerse myself in that over the last three days has been really good.”