'Beat the Aussies' - new England coach Fleming's key aim

New Test coach Stephen Fleming said he shared English cricket's "obsession" with the Ashes and arrives with the goal to "beat the Aussies".

Fleming was speaking to the media for the first time since being appointed in July and ahead of taking charge for the tour of South Africa in December.

Like his predecessor Brendon McCullum, Fleming is from New Zealand, the "little cousin" to Australia, in his words.

The next Ashes series is in the UK next summer, when England will look to defeat the Australians for the first time since 2015 and avenge a dismal 4-1 defeat down under last winter.

Asked if England are too obsessed with beating Australia, Fleming told BBC Sport: "No, because I have an obsession with it as well. New Zealand has an obsession with it, we love it.

"We want to beat the Aussies. We're heavily linked to England performances. We have a deep desire to beat Australia in everything, as the little cousin. We are linked, and I'm incredibly excited about being part of it.

"You don't think you're ever going to get that opportunity. To have that opportunity and be part of it, I can't wait.

"I want to be my best self and have a team that represents itself in the best possible way. I've got a vision of that and it's aspirational. It will be brilliant."