Brendon McCullum has been appointed as the new head coach of England’s Test side, with director of men’s cricket Rob Key telling fans to “buckle up and get ready for the ride”.
The former New Zealand captain will leave his job in charge of Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to take over a red-ball side that has fallen to bottom place in the World Test Championship after a dire run of one win in 17 matches.
Leading the revival is a sizeable task for the 40-year-old McCullum, who has never before coached at first-class or Test level, but he is renowned as one of the sport’s most progressive thinkers and dynamic leaders.
As skipper, he set his own country on the path to their current golden era, which has seen them finish as runners-up in each of the last two World Cups and also claim the inaugural World Test Championship.
McCullum won over the England and Wales Cricket Board’s selection panel with his passionate approach.
He saw off a strong field to earn what is understood to be a four-year contract, edging the likes of Gary Kirsten, whose credentials with South Africa and India had once made him favourite to land the job.
(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Key, who led the nomination process alongside ECB chief executive Tom Harrison, strategic adviser Sir Andrew Strauss and performance director Mo Bobat, is enthused about the prospect of McCullum linking up with new Test skipper Ben Stokes.
“We are delighted to confirm Brendon as England men’s Test head coach. It has been a real privilege to get to know him and understand his views and vision for the game,” he said.
“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. I believe his appointment will be good for England’s Test team.
“He has a recent history of changing cricket culture and environments for the better, and I believe he is the person to do that for England’s red-ball cricket.
“We were incredibly fortunate to have a seriously strong list of quality candidates for the post, with Brendon demonstrating he was our number one choice.”
McCullum, who won 101 Test caps and retired from international cricket in 2016, made it clear that he has firm views about how to lift the team out of its current malaise.
“In taking this role on, I am acutely aware of the significant challenges the team faces at present, and I strongly believe in my ability to help the team emerge as a stronger force once we’ve confronted them head-on,” he said.
“I’ve enjoyed several robust conversations with Rob Key about the direction of travel for the team and have found his enthusiasm contagious.
“I’m no stranger to bringing about change within a team environment, and I can’t wait to get started.
“Ben Stokes is the perfect character to inspire change around him, and I look forward to working closely with him to build a successful unit around us.”
Pending visa approvals, McCullum will arrive in the UK in time to lead a three-Test series against his home country next month.
England are still searching for a white-ball head coach, with internal candidate Paul Collingwood strongly tipped among another strong pool of applicants.
Clear as mud
Guest
they were also unlucky not to win in 63-4 and no asterisk against any series. always playing full strength Aussie XI's (notwithstanding selectors are idiots). it's a remarkable record.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
This will be interesting. I can't help but think he may have benefitted from a middle step, such as coaching a county or Shield team. But he's a positive and articulate person who will grow into the role, with every chance he'll bring along the team with him. Must be odd for him to take on New Zealand so early in his coaching career but he quite likely knows them well and can utilise that. I note Pat Cummins is one of a number saying international test cricket needs England to do well to build interest and this may be the beginning of rebuilding a team who had a result in the West Indies that suggests they are still suffering from a heavy ashes loss. I hope McCullum does well, without doing too well.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Gees those are some serious fees!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That's the thing; he'll pick players from the whole range of county cricketers rather than the in-group identified by the press club. Expect new names. He will delight in treading on the toes of any establishment insistence.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Mind you, most Test coaches are untested. It's not as if there is an extensive pool to choose from. You need to pick candidates from the carpark or the changing rooms rather than the pool.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Hmmm. I started my secondary schooling at Sevenoaks College in WA on decimal currency day (14/02/1966). Hardly that elite; it was Cannington High School in those days. Sevenoaks is pretty feral over here.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Agree. NZ has problems with outright pace. Very few teams have 3 or 4 over 145 in them but Aus does and SA can at times.
Keith Griffen
Guest
In McCullums tenure he beat all teams at home beside SA and AUS . Which NZ still has a problem with today.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Completely changed the way NZ play and started the current NZ successes.
Englishbob
Guest
Really pleased with this appointment, wasn't expecting it but myself and other England fans I've spoken to have been admirers of him as a player. Langer is the more accomplished coach but I don't think his abrasive (and very effective) style would have worked with the notoriously mard England players, more carrot than stick needed. He's not a miracle worker but I hope he's given plenty of time to bed in and make improvements
Bobbo7
Guest
As a captain, he improved NZ's approach to Test cricket out of sight. He brings an attitude adjustment which is exactly what England needs.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Assuming all fit I suspect they will . ( Simon Harmer too ) .
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Yes I do appreciate that - so funny. :laughing: :laughing:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
McCullum has Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Libra, they of People Leadership renown. This is his 10th House, the house of Career and reputation. He is Leadership personified!!! Jupiter and Saturn together represent blessing and encouragement (Jupiter) and Saturn's determination and discipline. Pluto makes it a deeply felt generational change. ------ He also Venus (desire) conjunct Uranus (the unexpected) in the 11th House (friends, acquaintances) which means he will call upon deep thinkers because they will have Scorpio energy. ------ I think he'll do better than most import coaches. A bloke you can trust.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Boycott was popularized as "The Black Knight" in Monty Python's In Search of the Holy Grail
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
You would probably appreciate that at Sevenoaks School, where Chris Tavare was educated and where he taught and where the fees are an eye-watering 42000 pounds/yr, the cricket ground has a vantage point where you can watch grass grow.
Keith Griffen
Guest
Gonna be a slobberknocker of a series. 2008, 2012 and 2016. Rabada,Jansen, maharaj, nortje, ngidi to outbowl the pace cartel
Keith Griffen
Guest
Yet as a strategist, he never won a series against Australia, won only 1 test against SA. What else?
Keith Griffen
Guest
Did they pick him because he will get on well with his countryman stokes? As big of a hitter Brendan is, he has bugger all test coaching credentials and wasn’t even a classic test batsman. What difference can he bring to England, as he can’t generate talent? He’s the polar opposite of test cricket. He will definitely have his work cut out for him. He would have to do what he has never done as a player in 14 years for NZ. That’s beat Australia in a test series!
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Didn’t know that . Aware we have a liking for Aus conditions. Some say this may be the weakest team to send over . I don’t agree . A very strong young pace attack supported by decent spin . Batting OK but hopefully we select young Brevis for England and let him , Verrynne and Petersen get some Tests under the belt . Excellent captain in Elgar and bat deep . Aus firm favorites this time but they’ve been before and lost too . For my money if SA beats England even draws we will have a humdinger on our hands and winner takes nr 1 spot in The World Test rankings . Also first time in a Test series we’ve met since the last ugly tour of SA by Aus . Some personal scores to settle too .