Ben Stokes lauds Brendon McCullum's appointment as England's white-ball coach
Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand skipper, was appointed as the head coach of England's white-ball teams. England Test skipper Ben Stokes has said the decision to enlist McCullum as England men's new limited-overs coach is an unbelievable move. Stokes also feels McCullum's appointment is beneficial to the new generation of players who are set to come through the white-ball set-up in the coming months. Here's more.
McCullum's impact on England's Test performance
McCullum's coaching stint with the Test team has seen a significant improvement in their performance. Prior to his appointment, England had only secured one victory out of 17 Tests. However, under McCullum's guidance, the team has won 19 of their last 28 Tests. This turnaround is attributed to a bold strategy dubbed 'Bazball,' which aims to unsettle opponents and captivate cricket fans.
Stokes welcomes McCullum's new role
Stokes has expressed his enthusiasm for McCullum's new role as head coach of the white-ball teams. "I was very surprised by the news," Stokes told ESPNcricinfo. "First and foremost, I think it's an unbelievable move for English cricket to go back to having a coach in charge of all the teams. You look at what Baz has achieved with the Test side, it's been amazing."
I'm really excited for the white-ball team, says Stokes
"I'm really excited for the white-ball team to have the opportunity to be able to work with Baz, listen to him speak, his opinions. How his outlook on life reflects cricket, if that makes sense," added Stokes. Stokes also said England's white-ball skipper Jos Buttler is going to enjoy working alongside McCullum. Stokes also said he couldn't think of a better person for England to come in and work under at international level for the first time.
McCullum's future responsibilities and Stokes's support
From January 2025, McCullum will lead both the Test and limited-overs sides. His first major assignments include England's white-ball tour of India and the subsequent ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Stokes praised McCullum's determined mindset and his ability to make an impact during his coaching tenures. "Baz is a very determined person to come in and make an influence wherever he goes in the world as a coach," Stokes said.
Morgan's support for McCullum's appointment
Eoin Morgan, former England cricketer and ODI World Cup-winning captain, had earlier expressed his wish for McCullum to lead the white-ball teams. He suggested that if time was a constraint, a hybrid model could be adopted similar to Pakistan's approach with Mickey Arthur before the ODI World Cup 2023. Under McCullum's leadership, England has adopted a new style of cricket that has been well-received by many.
