McCullum confident he can work with new England Test coach
- McCullum was dismissed as Test boss following England’s 2-1 defeat by New Zealand
Brendon McCullum, despite being sacked as England's Test coach, remains in charge of the successful white-ball teams and is confident he can work collaboratively with his successor.
- Brendon McCullum's continued success with England's white-ball teams.
- The search for England's next Test coach and potential candidates.
- McCullum's commitment to collaboration with the new Test leadership.
LONDON: Brendon McCullum insists he can work alongside England’s next Test coach despite being sacked from the role.
McCullum was dismissed as Test boss following England’s 2-1 defeat by New Zealand in a series that culminated in the international retirement of red-ball captain Ben Stokes.
But McCullum remains in charge of England’s white-ball teams and oversaw a 4-0 T20 series whitewash of world champions India.
On Sunday, there was more success for McCullum’s team, with a 27-run win at Lord’s to seal England’s first one-day international series victory over India since 2018.
England posted 387-3 – the highest ODI total at Lord’s – thanks to Ben Duckett’s 141, with both Jacob Bethell and Joe Root contributing fifties.
But while England’s white-ball teams are making progress, the Test side are on a run of seven defeats in nine matches heading into a home series with Pakistan starting next month.
Asked how he would work with a new Test coach in a potential awkward situation, McCullum said: “Collaboratively, I think. I think once the new coach is put in place, we’ll have a good conversation around everything.
“I think ultimately as long as everyone wants what is right for English cricket, there will be some give and take on certain things. That is the way it is.”
Andy Flower, a former England coach, has ruled himself out of succeeding McCullum as Test boss.
Jonathan Trott, an ex-England batsman, and former Australia coach Justin Langer are among the leading candidates to take over from McCullum.
Former New Zealand captain McCullum has been buoyed by England’s white-ball form ahead of next year’s ODI World Cup in southern Africa.
“I think we’ve seen some growth in the side over the last couple of series and there is some more growth to come, which is exciting and where my focus is on,” he said.
Comments