His appointment has raised eyebrows. Less than 24 hours after parting ways with Chennai Super Kings after being associated with them for 13 years, Fleming was in the race for the biggest coaching role in English cricket and in less than a month the ECB announced Fleming as McCullum's replacement in the England team.

Marcus Trescothick will lead England in the Pakistan series before Fleming officially begins his reign before the South Africa series later this year. He's given four years to make England, but with an Ashes series looming, the heat will be on from day one.

In contrast to so many other foreign coaches, Fleming is untested when it comes to coaching red-ball cricket. His CV has been accumulated largely through franchise cricket, with Chennai Super Kings in particular having been one of the most consistent teams in the Indian Premier League.

The Test coaching experience is lacking, which has led to doubts in some quarters. However, England don't worry about that as long as his leadership qualities come through; he can create winning environments no matter how much experience he has.

Rob Key, ECB managing director, voiced his support for the appointment when he explained:

"Stephen Fleming is one of the most highly respected figures in cricket, and we are very fortunate that someone of his calibre is willing to take on the challenge of being the England men's Test head coach. I believe he is the best person to guide a team stacked full of potential and turn that talent into a world-class outfit that cannot only achieve success but sustain it."

Why England Believe Fleming is the Right Man

Fleming's greatest strengths have never been fiery speeches or revolutionary tactics. During his coaching journey, he has earned a reputation as a calm man who builds a harmonious dressing room, relies on older players and displays cool brainpower in tight decision-making situations.

His relationship with MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings is among the most successful coach-captain combinations in franchise cricket. England will be hoping he can forge a similar rapport with Joe Root, who is back as Test captain following Ben Stokes' resignation.

The situation also has the benefit that McCullum stays on as England's white-ball coach. Fleming played alongside McCullum in the all-conquering New Zealand side, and knows how he operates. It should help ensure there remains a seamless transition for England's men's teams at international level while encouraging innovation in the Test squad.

Even Fleming recognised the emotive strain that world office could impose.

He said:

"I know what it feels like to have the weight of leadership and international cricket take their toll, and when that happened to me, my love for the game was rekindled by going to Notts and winning the County Championship. English cricket gave that to me, and it is a privilege to have this chance to give something back."

Tough Questions Waiting for the New Coach

While the appointment of Fleming has been greeted with excitement, the work itself is not simple.

England are looking for some consistency at the top of the order. Several spots are up for grabs while injuries and indifferent form have prevented the side from finding its best mix.

Ben Stokes’ retirement has opened up yet another huge gap. It is not just an experienced captain that the English have lost but a real seam-bowling all-rounder who truly stood his ground in both batting and bowling. Replacing him will be very difficult.

Similarly, the bowling strategy must be devised that bit more intensively. Stokes gone, and even if he returns, without him England might have to re-evaluate the mix of pace and spin to counter various scenarios. There are plenty of quality players still at Fleming's disposal, but to make them a fluid and reliable Test group will surely prove his biggest challenge.

It seems Joe Root is also only going to be a short-term fix, as his reign as captain looks to be very short if the headlines are to be believed, and the vice-captain Harry Brook is expected to be the future captain of England, meaning Fleming might have to go through another transition of captaincy before he has even left office.

Ashes Success Will Define Fleming's Legacy

All England Test coaches are always measured up to the antagonists from Down Under, and Fleming is hardly going to be any exception.

The best man has played them before, and it doesn't make for happy reading. Surely enough, victory as a player in Australia eluded the man during his entire Test career, and now as a coach, he has the chance to be the man who can change all that.

When England take on the Ashes, Fleming will have little more than a few months to put his plan into action, select the playing XI and rebuild confidence within the England dressing room. A rushed schedule perhaps, but it's one England are confident he has the credentials to cope with.

Definitely a brave appointment. Rather than going for someone with a conventional Test coaching route, the ECB have decided to trust a man who has imposed victories through his own superior planning, measured decision-making and careful long-term vision.

Whether those characteristics can turn around England's Test record remains to be seen. But after years of building successful teams in franchise cricket, Stephen Fleming enters the most significant chapter of his coaching career to date. If he succeeds in producing a settled team capable of regularly testing the world's best and providing a competitive challenge to the Australians in the Ashes, this appointment may well be seen as one of the ECB's wisest.