Brendon McCullum likely to relax midnight curfew in first decision as England Test head coach

[ad_1]

“I believe in Brendon and Ben Stokes – a formidable coach-and-captain partnership. Time for us all to buckle up and get ready for the ride,” said Rob Key, the England team director.

McCullum has resigned as coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders and will join England as soon as the franchise’s IPL season ends, which could be by the middle of the next week if they don’t reach the play-offs.

He played 101 Tests for New Zealand, becoming the first Kiwi to score a Test triple-century. He signed off his career by scoring the fastest ever Test hundred in his final game. He revolutionized their approach to one-day cricket, leading them to the 2015 World Cup final with an aggressive style copied by Eoin Morgan.

McCullum picks up England’s Test side after five consecutive series defeats and just one victory in 17 Tests. He had initially been approached about the vacant white-ball job but on Thursday night revealed that he had turned it down as the challenge of lifting England’s Test team from “rock bottom” held a greater appeal.

“The white-ball [job] did not interest me as the team is flying, one of the best teams in the world, obviously world champions as well after winning the 2019 World Cup,” he told New Zealand radio.

“I wasn’t really interested in a cushy gig. If you are prepared to change your life for something it’s got to be something that’s a bit grunty and a little bit meaty, the challenge of trying to bring a team that’s rock bottom at the moment.”

McCullum has already spoken some home truths to his boss. “I’ve enjoyed several robust conversations with Rob Key about the direction of travel for the team and have found his enthusiasm contagious,” he said earlier. “I’m no stranger to bringing about change within a team environment, and I can’t wait to get started.”

.

[ad_2]