Brendon McCullum to step down as KKR coach to take over England job

Former New Zealand captain and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coach Brendon McCullum has knowledgeable the franchise that he shall be stepping down from the function on the finish of the present season to take over the England head coach’s job.

The Indian Express understands that McCullum knowledgeable the KKR gamers of the event throughout a current group assembly. McCullum, a part of KKR within the inaugural version in 2008 when he hit a swashbuckling 158 within the first-ever IPL match, has additionally performed for and coached Trinbago Knight Riders within the Caribbean Premier League.

“He informed us that he won’t be part of KKR going ahead as he will be taking up a job as England cricket team coach. He informed us during a team meeting a few days ago,” a KKR insider mentioned.

The former New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman has emerged because the favorite to turn out to be England’s Test coach, the BBC and different British media reported. A proper announcement is due this week.

Chris Silverwood left the function in February within the aftermath of their 4-0 Ashes defeat in Australia, with Paul Collingwood named as caretaker. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) then invited functions for separate Test and white-ball coaches.

Reports mentioned 40-year-old McCullum had expressed his curiosity within the job. McCullum performed the final of his 101 Tests in Christchurch in February 2016 in opposition to Australia, when he hit the quickest century within the format (54 balls), ending his profession with 6,453 runs, 12 tons and 31 half-centuries.

If McCullum does take over as England’s Test coach, it can add a layer of intrigue to his first task on the job – a three-match dwelling sequence in opposition to the Kiwis. England have already unveiled New Zealand-born Ben Stokes as their new Test captain, hoping for a swift turnaround underneath the talismanic all-rounder after a tame finish to Joe Root’s 5 years in cost.