# McCullum hails Fleming as ‘like me, but better’ after England Test coach switch 2026-08-07T23:44:51+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Brendon McCullum has described his successor as England Test coach, Stephen Fleming, as 'like me, but better'. The ECB appointed the former New Zealand captain after sacking McCullum following a 2-1 home series loss to New Zealand and a poor Ashes campaign. McCullum stays as limited-overs coach. Fleming, 53, led Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles. Pacer Ollie Robinson said he had 'heard good things' about Fleming and called the change an 'exciting new era'. Robinson, aiming to return for the Pakistan series starting August 19, admitted the sudden departures of captain Ben Stokes and McCullum had left the dressing room shocked. He urged the side to target a 3-0 win and not use the transition as an excuse. Interim coach Marcus Trescothick will lead against Pakistan. Separately, Andrew Flintoff has quit as England Lions coach to take up the Sydney Thunder head coach role, with Mike Yardy taking charge for the Lions' match against Pakistan. ## Coverage - sports.ndtv.com - thehansindia.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: Brendon McCullum, England cricket, Ollie Robinson, Stephen Fleming, Test cricket Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/mccullum-backs-fleming-as-england-test-coach-hails-him-as-better-version/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/mccullum-backs-fleming-as-england-test-coach-hails-him-as-better-version/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.