CRICKET – ENGLAND’S new test coach Stephen Fleming said restoring the team’s identity and standards would be as important as improving results, after a turbulent year for English cricket that brought renewed scrutiny of player behaviour and team culture.
Fleming was appointed in July following England’s slide in results and a series of off-field incidents that led to Brendon McCullum’s departure from the Test role, amid accusations of a drinking culture amongst the players.
The latest incident involved pace bowler Brydon Carse, who was handcuffed outside a nightclub following Durham’s County Championship title-winning victory over Derbyshire, shortly after Joe Root had lifted a team midnight curfew.
Fleming said work has already begun on shaping the team’s identity after months of questions over the culture surrounding the England setup.
“I would love to be in charge of the number one Test team in the world. That would be my aspiration,” Fleming told reporters in Manchester.
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