England cricket board shortlists Pakistan's Mike Hesson as Test coach candidate

Pakistan's white‑ball coach Mike Hesson, appointed in May 2025, has been placed on the England and Wales Cricket Board's shortlist to become the next England Test head coach. The vacancy arose after Brendon McCullum was dismissed following England's 2‑1 home series loss to New Zealand and the retirement of Test captain Ben Stokes.

The ECB aims to name a new coach before the three‑Test series against Pakistan that begins on 19 August. The reported shortlist contains nine names: Mike Hesson, former Australia coach Justin Langer, former England coach Andy Flower, Richard Dawson, Jonathan Trott, former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, former New Zealand coach Stephen Fleming, Tom Moody and Adi Birrell. ECB chief executive Richard Gould said the pool of realistic candidates is small, estimating only six to ten globally.

Hesson's inclusion draws attention because he is currently leading Pakistan's white‑ball sides while being considered for England's red‑ball role.