Ben Stokes excellent character to encourage change, says newly-appointed England Test coach Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum has stated he’s totally conscious of the challenges that the top coach function of the England Test staff brings with it, including that he’s able to take them on head on. In a transfer that helped increase a number of eyebrows, England on Thursday introduced McCullum as the top coach for the lads’s Test staff.

McCullum, who has been working with Kolkata Knight Riders within the Indian Premier League, will hyperlink up with the England cricket squad later this month. McCullum’s first project with the England staff would be the dwelling Test sequence in opposition to the nation he skippered, New Zealand.

McCullum will change Chris Silverwood as the top coach of the England Test staff. England have managed to win only one out of their final 17 Tests. Joe Root stepped down as England Test staff captain after they have been hammered 0-4 within the Ashes and misplaced a 3-match Test sequence within the West Indies 0-1 earlier this yr.

McCullum has no earlier expertise in teaching a Test aspect. However, the previous New Zealand captain has been one of many biggest batters within the longest format of the sport, having led the Black Caps to a number of highs in Tests throughout his time because the skipper. McCullum performed the final of his 101 Tests at Christchurch in 2016 in opposition to Australia, the place he hit the quickest ever century within the format (54 balls). He completed his profession with 6,453 runs together with 12 a whole lot and 31 half-centuries.

“I’d like to say how pleased I am to be given this opportunity to positively contribute to England’s Test cricket set-up and move the team forward into a more successful era,” McCullum stated in a press release from England and Wales Cricket Board.

“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.”

STOKES-BAZ COMBO

Meanwhile, McCullum stated he’s trying ahead to working with newly-appointed captain Ben Stokes whom he believes is the correct man to encourage an opportunity within the dressing room and reverse their fortunes in Test cricket.

McCullum additionally make clear how he was excited by newly-appointed Director of Cricket Rob Key’s imaginative and prescient for the Test staff.

“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 proper character to encourage change round him, and I stay up for working carefully with him to construct a profitable unit round us.”

England are set to nominate one other coach for the white-ball codecs. Gary Kirsten, who oversaw India’s run to the 2011 World Cup, is the frontrunner to take over the job.