Brendon McCullum Appointed Head Coach Of England's Men's Test Team
Brendon McCullum was on Thursday appointed the new head coach of the England men's cricket team in Test cricket.
Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was on Thursday appointed the new head coach of the England men's cricket team in Test cricket. McCullum, who has been coaching Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL for the past few seasons, will join forces with newly appointed Test captain Ben Stokes to bring about a change in England's fortunes in cricket's oldest and longest format.
"McCullum, 40, will be in place to start his role for next month's three-match Test series against New Zealand, which gets underway at Lord's from 2 June, subject to obtaining the necessary work visa.
"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 he was the outstanding candidate for the role, having impressed during the competitive interview process.
"New Zealand born McCullum currently works as Head Coach of Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders and previously coached Trinbago Knight Riders to the 2020 Caribbean Premier League title. He also had an exemplary playing career that saw him earn 101 Test caps and was Test captain of the Black Caps from 2012 to his international retirement in 2016," England and Wales Cricket Board said in an official release.
McCullum will be tasked with changing the fortunes of a team which finds itself low down in the World Test Championship table after losses in the Ashes against Australia and also at the hands of West Indies.
"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.
"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've enjoyed several robust conversations with Rob Key about the direction of travel for the team and have found his enthusiasm contagious. I'm no stranger to bringing about change within a team environment, and I can't wait to get started.
"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 said after being appointed.
Brendon McCullum
England Cricket Team
Ben Stokes