- Published
Stephen Fleming has given his first interviews since becoming England's Test coach.
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Fleming → publish → interviews
The New Zealander, who replaces his close friend Brendon McCullum, spoke at length - covering Bazball, Ben Stokes' departure, England's discipline problems, his own coaching style and more.
Here's what he had to say...
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he → replace → what
Fleming on Carse and England's discipline problems
England have been dogged by off-field issues in recent times.
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England → dog → times
Harry Brook was involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer last year, Ben Duckett was videoed apparently drunk in Australia, Stokes and Gus Atkinson broke a team curfew and Brydon Carse was investigated by police after an incident in Derby.
Fleming said: "It's been disappointing, because I understand what people are working towards.
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people → involve → what
These events can derail a lot of things and divert attention from what really matters.
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what → derail → attention
"When I look at epitomising an international cricketer and what they should stand for, it's Joe [Root].
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it → look → what
"When he sits in an interview and openly expresses his disappointment, or uses "hacked off", I know there's work to be done.
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I → sit → hacked
"Also, the belonging, identity, what are we doing here together and how we can be the best version of ourselves.
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we → do → ourselves
A lot of that work has begun.
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lot → begin → work
That's one of the key things for me to develop and my work with Joe has begun."
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work → develop → Joe
On Carse, specifically, Fleming said the bowler is available for selection but added: "There are standards.
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bowler → say → selection
We pick on runs and wickets primarily, but I think it's foolish not to also say there are standards that need to be set."
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that → pick → runs
On his relationship with McCullum
Fleming has a long-standing relationship with McCullum as a former team-mate, friend and business partner.
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Fleming → have → mate
He replaces his fellow Black Cap, whose tenure as Test coach began with stunning highs before turning sour with the Ashes defeat and his sacking this summer.
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tenure → replace → defeat
"He was heart-sore it had worked out that way, but he was incredibly positive about the experience and opportunity.
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he → work → experience
His belief about where these teams can go is strong, and that was a major part when I was talking to him about doing the role.
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I → go → role
I love his confidence and aggressive nature.
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I → love → confidence
"Somewhere in between we've got a beautiful working relationship with a huge amount of respect.
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we → get → respect
I have so much respect for what Ben Stokes and Brendon did for this English side.
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Stokes → have → side
They changed the landscape of cricket and that's a really powerful thing."
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that → change → cricket
On what went wrong with Bazball
McCullum's side beat New Zealand and South Africa in their first summer before a memorable win in Pakistan.
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side → go → Pakistan
They were unable to win any of their five-Test series against India and Australia, however.
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They → win → India
I was in awe of what that team were doing and how they were doing it.
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they → do → it
"The last 12 months, the evolution – teams caught up, there was talent lost, a lot of reasons.
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teams → catch → reasons
When you do something special and you start doing it differently, everybody else takes a bit of time, then they catch up.
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they → do → time
The pressure then goes on to evolution and that can create some challenges.
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that → go → challenges
The Ashes wasn't what they wanted and that is what this team is measured on.
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team → want → what
"All I can think about is now my opportunity to pick it up, and maybe add my style, which is looking at personality, a little bit more measured."
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which → think → personality
On Stokes
Stokes, who announced his shock retirement in June, played under Fleming at Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
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who → announce → League
Fleming revealed the pair spoke at Durham earlier this week.
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pair → reveal → Durham
Fleming said: "He'd just come off another monster bowling spell.
"
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He → say → spell
He was in a great space, really happy, enjoying his time with Durham.
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He → enjoy → Durham
"He's got a good winter planned with the family and is very much at peace with his decision.
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winter → get → decision
When a player makes that decision to retire, I respect that decision 100%.
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I → make → decision
"To try to turn that around and question that is wrong.
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try → try → that
I know how much goes into that type of decision, and I respect that."
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I → know → that
Fleming on his wait to arrive
Fleming was named England coach on 30 July but did not take charge of the recent series win over Pakistan, instead following from home.
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Fleming → arrive → home
Fleming said: "There were commitments and family commitments I had that I just wasn't in a position to break.
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I → say → position
That's more about me as a person, than dropping everything and coming over here.
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That → drop → everything
"I watched and connected with Joe and the team straight away once it was approved – I've got a stress fracture in my left ear from phone calls.
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I → watch → calls
…and 25 more, not listed.
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