NEWS
Follow UsWith Matthew Mott gone, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had a decision to make regarding the future and direction of where their white-ball team was heading.
That’s when Rob Key, Managing Director of ECB decided to hand the white-ball coaching role to Brendon McCullum. Key was responsible for England’s white-ball blueprint. McCullum, who for the last two years was happy with his role as the red-ball coach, will now have an added responsibility.
Former England pacer Stuart Broad called the appointment a ‘dream scenario’ and reckoned that McCullum could be the perfect one to change the fortunes of the English white-ball team.
“It is the dream scenario from an England hierarchy point of view. It's just whether Baz [Brendon McCullum] wanted to do the job because of the schedules allowing him to take over,” Broad told Sky Sports.
“I think I think it's a great appointment ultimately, you know, he's someone that's got a huge amount of respect within the Test match group and almost intrigued from the one day group was like what's going on in that change room why is it so fun like what why are you playing with such freedom and ultimately I think it's the perfect appointment.”
While insisting that McCullum could bring about a refreshing change in England’s white-ball approach, Broad also reckoned it would be a great challenge for him to get the best out of Jos Buttler’s leadership.
“Ultimately, he [McCullum] will see it as a great challenge to get the best out of Jos' leadership, you know, he's still a World Cup-winning captain in the T20 format in Australia [Jos] but probably hasn't gone exactly the way he would want he doesn't look as sort of natural and flowing as someone like a Ben Stokes or Eoin Morgan. But Baz will see that as a great challenge for him to get the best out of our best-ever white ball batter,” he added.
Ricky Ponting, who was rumoured to be one of the candidates to replace Motts, said that McCullum could face the challenge of having senior players ‘available’ all the time for white-ball games. However, Ponting echoed Broad’s sentiments, calling the move a perfect one for the youngsters coming up the system.
“The availability of senior players and leadership will obviously be the biggest challenges that international coaches face now. I like the appointment; you have to be really happy with Brendon’s been able to bring the England Test team to the next level,” Ponting added.
“The level of play has been outstanding. With the backing and trusting of the players, they might not have the best County records. There’s a lot to work with, the quality of players and depth has been abundant in English cricket. They have all made their marks in various franchise cricket around the globe. Brendon has had a lot to work with.”
McCullum will take over the job starting January 2025, with Marcus Trescothick expected to handle the white-ball duties till then.
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