England are closing in on Stephen Fleming as their new Test coach following the axing of his fellow New Zealander Brendon McCullum.Fleming, 53, is viewed as one of cricket’s great strategists, having played 111 Tests for his country, becoming their most successful captain with 28 wins.Since quitting international cricket in 2008, he has enjoyed a successful coaching career, predominantly with Chennai Super Kings, claiming five Indian Premier League titles before quitting days after McCullum was removed from his position.Defeat to New Zealand at Trent Bridge in what was Ben Stokes’ final international appearance meant England had not won a series for more than 12 months, forcing a re-think within an ECB hierarchy that resisted change following the deflating 4-1 Ashes defeat last winter.The ECB declined to comment when contacted on Wednesday, but Daily Mail Sport understands he edged out Englishmen Richard Dawson and Jonathan Trott in the selection process.One of Fleming’s first tasks will be to determine who succeeds Stokes as England captain. New Zealander Stephen Fleming is in line to become the new England Men’s Test head coach Fleming has worked as a coach since 2009, but his only roles have come in franchise cricket, including 14 years over two spells at Chennai Super Kings England are still looking for a new captain after Ben Stokes’ retirement earlier this summerJoe Root stepped in when Stokes was suspended for The Oval Test last month and was being lined up to work alongside McCullum until the end of next year’s Ashes.That particular succession plan was put into place in order not to over-burden Root’s fellow Yorkshireman Harry Brook.However, Brook revealed it would be a ‘privilege’ to lead England in all three formats, having made a success of turning around results in his 15-month captaincy of the limited-overs teams.Appointing Brook, who at 27 is Root’s junior by eight years, now would maintain some continuity as England return to split coaching roles and avoid another captaincy switch within the next 18 months.Fleming indicated his interest in the post immediately after mutually severing ties with the CSK organisation a fortnight ago. The franchise said it was ‘bringing to a close one of the most successful and enduring partnerships in IPL history.’Adding: ‘The decision was reached with respect and gratitude, following a series of open and honest discussions between Fleming and the Super Kings management.’Fleming also ended ties with Super Kings’ other franchises – Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 and Texas Super Kings in the United States – where he was head coach.His appointment would reunite him in a working capacity with McCullum, who viewed his fellow Kiwi as a mentor during their playing days.It would also take the numbers of New Zealanders across England’s coaching set-up to four: Jeetan Patel and Tim Southee are currently spin and fast bowling coaches respectively.Some will feel that a lack of homegrown presence is a concern, particularly after managing director Rob Key turned to Australian Marcus North as national selector.Indeed, only two Englishmen featured on a nine-strong list of potential candidates. Not all received calls, however, suggesting that Fleming became their preferred choice after Andy Flower, the original No 1 target, turned down the chance to interview.Fleming is well known to the English game, however, having captained Nottinghamshire to the County Championship title and also represented Yorkshire.As a coach, he also took Southern Brave to the knockout stages of the 2023 and 2024 editions of the Hundred.