Pakistan, July 31 -- New Zealander Stephen Fleming has been confirmed as England's new Test head coach and Joe Root will take over again as red-ball captain.

Five-time Indian Premier League winner Fleming will replace compatriot Brendon McCullum, who lost his role in charge of the Test set-up after a 2-1 home series loss to New Zealand in June, which followed a disastrous Ashes campaign.

Ben Stokes stepped down as Test captain and retired from international cricket after defeat at Trent Bridge last month and the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Thursday that Root will step up to fill the void.

The decision to return to Root, who has captained England in 65 Tests, will allow all-format player Harry Brook to focus on the whit...