Brendon McCullum says he accepted the function because the England Take a look at facet’s new head coach due to the chance to help a workforce at “rock bottom”.
The previous New Zealand captain will depart his job in control of Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to take over a red-ball facet that has fallen to backside place within the World Take a look at Championship after a dire run of 1 win in 17 matches.
“If you are prepared to change your life it has got to be something a bit grunty, a little bit meaty,” McCullum mentioned on his SENZ radio present.
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“And the challenge of bringing a team that is rock bottom at the moment and building something long-term, sustainable and successful … that is more where the challenge lay.”
Main the revival is a sizeable job for the 40-year-old, who has by no means earlier than coached at first-class or Take a look at degree, however is famend as one of many sport’s most progressive thinkers and dynamic leaders.
McCullum, who gained 101 Take a look at caps and retired from worldwide cricket in 2016, was initially approached to be England’s white-ball coach however mentioned he didn’t desire a “cushy gig”, including his love of Take a look at cricket sealed the deal.
“The white-ball didn’t interest me as such because the team is flying – they are one of the best in the world and obviously world champions as well.
“They’ve Eoin Morgan in there who’s an excellent buddy of mine who has constructed a construction and system that can proceed effectively after he finishes taking part in as effectively.
“I wasn’t interested in a cushy gig.
“Plus I like Take a look at cricket and the chance to coach England and spend a number of time round these grounds and traditions and historical past of the sport, it turned so interesting.”
As New Zealand skipper, McCullum set his country on the path to their current golden era, which has seen them finish as runner-up in each of the last two World Cups and claim the inaugural World Test Championship, and he 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.
Director of men’s cricket Rob 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.
“I consider in Brendon and Ben Stokes – a formidable coach and captain partnership. Time for us all to buckle up and prepare for the trip. I consider his appointment shall be good for England’s Take a look at workforce,” mentioned Key.
“He has a current historical past of fixing cricket tradition and environments for the higher, and I consider he’s the individual to do this for England’s red-ball cricket.”
Former England captain Mike Atherton said the move was a “daring alternative”.
“To offer Brendon McCullum the Take a look at job – every week or so in the past, I do not suppose that was on anyone’s radar, so he has not made the plain alternative right here, however I feel it is a very daring alternative really,” Atherton said on Sky Sports News.
“He’s a pleasant match with Stokes, they each strategy the sport and play the sport in an identical method.”
