Tag: Brendon McCullum

WELLINGTON: Former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum thinks patriotic cricket fans will forgive him for coaching England against New Zealand, as long as the two sides deliver an entertaining clash.  

“I guess so,” he told reporters in Hamilton Thursday when asked if it felt odd to wear England’s cricket kit in his native New Zealand, “but it’s nice to be here”.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge in front of us with New Zealand.”

The 41-year-old retired from Test cricket in 2016 having scored nearly 6,500 runs for New Zealand in 101 Tests, including 12 centuries.

Born in Dunedin at the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island, McCullum has enjoyed a dream start since taking over as England coach last May.

He helped engineer a home series win against South Africa plus a clean sweep of three Tests in Pakistan.

There was also a famous Test win against India at Edgbaston last July, when England chased down a record 378 while losing just three wickets — as well as a 3-0 series win over New Zealand on English soil last June.

“It’s been a good start, definitely. Results have been great,” McCullum said.

Next up is his first tour in New Zealand as England coach with two Tests against the Black Caps, starting at Mount Maunganui next Thursday before a second in Wellington the following week.

McCullum, once one of the game’s most entertaining players, does not expect a hostile reception from the Kiwi crowds.

“It should be alright, I would think. Obviously people are patriotic.

“Even if sometimes your own team doesn’t win, you still walk away knowing you have had a hell of a day out.

“Hopefully that will be the case during this series.”

New Zealand host England with new captain Tim Southee taking charge in his first home series since Kane Williamson stood down as skipper.

Williamson will go head to head with England captain Ben Stokes in a highly anticipated clash between two of the world’s best batters.

McCullum described Stokes as “the sort of guy who writes his own scripts and achieves some pretty special things”.

The Black Caps drew two Tests against Pakistan in January, but managed only one victory from six limited-overs games against India earlier this year.

McCullum was full of praise for Southee, who he played alongside for the Black Caps.

“We know New Zealand will be very good in these conditions, Tim will be creative, as he always is, and I look forward to seeing how we respond to that.”

READ: Groom Shadab Khan shares photos from wedding ceremony

MULTAN: England Test captain Ben Stokes equalled his coach Brendon McCullum’s famed record of hitting the most sixes in Test cricket amid his 41-run knock against Pakistan in the ongoing second Test.

Stokes, who resumed England’s second innings at 202/5 with Harry Brook, played an important knock of 41 runs in 51 balls and briefly carried his overnight partnership with the latter to set England to finish at a decent total.

Amid his 41-run knock, the left-handed batter smashed one boundary and a six.

Stokes’ six against Pakistan in the second innings was his career’s 107th six in 160 innings that propelled him to equal McCullum’s record of as many sixes.

McCullum took 176 innings to set the bar, while Stokes equalled the tally with 16 innings fewer than his coach.

It is pertinent to mention that a vital 108-run partnership between Imam-ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel anchored Pakistan to 198/4 at the stumps on day three, requiring another 157 runs to square off a series-levelling victory.

Pakistan opener Imam, who came out to bat at number five perished in the closing minutes of the third day’s action after scoring a fighting half-century.

Whereas, Saud stood firm with his unbeaten 54 and will resume the run chase with Faheem Ashraf (3*) on an anticipated decisive day of the second Test.

READ: Southgate future in focus as England digest World Cup exit 

LONDON: The newly-appointed head coach of England Men’s Test side Brendon McCullum labelled the famous term Baz-Ball ‘silly’, which was coined in homage to England’s new approach in Test cricket.

England’s Test side, which had only won one of their previous 17 Tests, appeared to have found their lost touch under the new leadership of head coach McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes, as the side has now won three consecutive Tests against New Zealand and one against India.

In those four consecutive victories, England put on a fresh aggressive approach on display and successfully amassed 275-plus total in all the matches with ease including a record 378 run chase against India with seven wickets to spare.

Following England’s new approach, a new term ‘Baz-Ball’ emerged, named after England head coach McCullum’s nickname ‘Baz,’ who, however, insisted that the strategy has a deeper meaning.

“That’s why I don’t really like that silly term that people are throwing out there,” McCullum said on SEN Radio.

“Because there’s actually quite a bit of thought that goes into how the guys manufacture their performances and when they put pressure on bowlers and which bowlers they put pressure on. There’s also times where they’ve absorbed pressure beautifully as well,” he added.

While McCullum has been overjoyed with how his reign has begun, he knows that tough Tests lie ahead, with South Africa touring later this summer and Australia hosting the Ashes in a year.

“It’s been a tremendous month, [but] we know that there’s big challenges to come, one of which will be the Aussie boys, but we’ve just got to keep doing what we’re doing, McCullum concluded.

READ: PSB sidelines badminton team from Commonwealth Games’ contingent

LONDON: Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has been appointed as the new England Men’s Test head coach, England Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Thursday.

McCullum, who was being considered the top candidate to take on the position, has officially been appointed by the ECB.

The legendary Kiwi batter, who has never coached a first-class match yet, will experience his first assignment in a Test series against his home side New Zealand in June, whom he represented in 432 matches amid his prolonged 14 years career.

According to the details, the ECB’s selection panel of Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison, Managing Director of England’s Men’s Cricket Rob Key, Strategic Adviser Andrew Strauss and Performance Director Mo Bobat unanimously agreed that McCullum is an outstanding candidate for the role, having impressed during the competitive interview process.

Commenting on McCullum’s appointment, the newly appointed managing director of ECB Rob Key talked to the media and said that McCullum’s appointment would be good for England’s Test side, who is known for changing cricket culture.

“We are delighted to confirm Brendon as England Men’s Test Head Coach. It has been a real privilege to get to know him and understand his views and vision for the game. I believe his appointment will be good for England’s Test team,” Key said.

“He has a recent history of changing cricket culture and environments for the better, and I believe he is the person to do that for England’s red-ball cricket,” he added.

“I believe in Brendon and Ben Stokes – a formidable coach and captain partnership. Time for us all to buckle up and get ready for the ride,” Key concluded.

McCullum, on the other hand, also commented on his appointment by revealing the immense pleasure the former Kiwi captain is experiencing while also can not wait to get started and bring a change.

“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 said.

“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. I’m no stranger to bringing about change within a team environment, and I can’t wait to get started,” he added.

McCullum then praised the newly-appointed Test captain Ben Stokes and termed him the perfect character to inspire change around him.

“Ben Stokes is the perfect character to inspire change around him, and I look forward to working closely with him to build a successful unit around us,” McCullum concluded.

READ: Nadal blunts Isner to advance into the third round of the Italian Open

KARACHI: New Zealand’s legendary wicket-keeper batter Brendon McCullum is among the favourites to take the role of England’s Test coach, English media reported.

According to the English Newspaper The Guardian, England Cricket is likely to announce the successor to Chris Silverwood this week, with former Kiwi captain McCullum at the top of the list for the Test post, with a separate white ball coach being hired.

In case McCullum takes the role, his first assignment would be a Test series against his home side New Zealand in June, whom he represented in 432 matches amid his prolonged 14 years career.

McCullum, who is known for his aggressive mindset may change the dynamics of the underperforming English side, alongside newly-appointed Test captain Stokes, who is said to have the same approach towards the game.

It is apropos to mention here that McCullum, however, has never coached a first-class match but has led New Zealand to seven consecutive Test series victories as the captain.

READ: Manchester City agree to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland