England are already preparing for life after Stephen Fleming

Buried deep within the press release announcing the latest round of England central contracts was a potentially significant development for the future of the game in this country – the announcement of Test coach Stephen Fleming’s backroom team . Alongside the appointment of South African Eric Simons, a long-time associate of Fleming on the franchise circuit, were three English coaches who will serve as assistants to the New Zealander: Marcus Trescothick, Richard Dawson and James Foster. That trio, alongside Jonathan Trott, who was appointed Lions coach this winter, represent the future of English coaching.