Brendon McCullum: England Test coach faces major challenges in new role

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Brendon McCullum has been appointed England head coach on a four-year contract; the former New Zealand captain takes charge of a side that have managed just one win in their last 17 Test matches; McCullum faces selection issues in every department for June’s three-game series against the Kiwis

Following his surprise appointment as England Test head coach, Brendon McCullum is faced with several crucial decisions that could dictate his success in the challenging position.

The former New Zealand captain will take charge of a team that has managed just one win in its last 17 test matches, with 11 losses in that time, and can only point to two guaranteed names on the team sheet (if fitness allows). allows) for McCullum’s first test in charge on June 2.

Taking on a trial coaching role for the first time having worked at the cricket franchise since his retirement in 2019, McCullum will need to rely heavily on his playing experience as he navigates a period of great turmoil for the English men’s game.

The man who appointed him, Rob Key, only took over as the ECB’s managing director of England men’s cricket last month, while Ben Stokes was confirmed as Joe Root’s replacement as trial pattern just a couple of weeks ago.

McCullum, who looks set to end his role as head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League on May 18, is expected within a week of that date to name his team for England’s three-match series against New Zealand.

A very important factor in rebuilding the England red team will be the relationship between the head coach and the captain.

England’s best teams of the 21st century were helped by close associations, with Michael Vaughan and Duncan Fletcher combining in the early 2000s, before Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower led a formidable unit early in the next decade.

As Stokes is inside the England setup, McCullum was a hugely popular figure within the New Zealand dressing room throughout his playing career, and it’s hard to imagine the two affable figures struggling to bond.

McCullum, who has broken records in both international and franchise cricket throughout his playing career, can also empathize with Stokes about the challenges facing the modern cross-format cricketer.

Stokes has already announced that he will bat at No. 6, while also confirming that former captain Root will return to his favored position at No. 4. That leaves four other top batting slots with some uncertainty around them.

England look likely to kick off the summer with the opening of Alex Lees and Zak Crawley, with the duo getting more chances having dismissed Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns following their struggles during the Ashes.

Lancashire batsman Josh Bohannon has been promoted for an international debut

However, there is extreme uncertainty over who will receive the nod at No. 3 and No. 5, with Stokes himself urging players to “raise their hands” for the roles.

The most likely candidates for the spots appear to be Jonny Bairstow, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope and Dawid Malan, while Lancashire’s Josh Bohannon could force his way into contention for a Test debut if he can continue to score runs in the County Championship. .

The constant changes in personnel during England’s desperate run with the bat have failed to improve the situation, so whoever is selected, McCullum and his coaching staff will need to provide strong technical and mental support if they are to succeed. .

One factor that could affect McCullum’s picks higher up the order will be who he picks as goalie.

You may have forgotten that McCullum began his career as a hugely successful batsman-wicket-keeper, before back problems forced him out of the Test role and eventually to shorter formats.

His experience behind the stumps puts him in a strong position to choose between Bairstow, Jos Buttler and Ben Foakes.

Buttler was ruled out for the West Indies tour, but with McCullum only recently seen after seeing him star for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, there might be a temptation to give the 31-year-old another chance.

Centuries to Bairstow in the final Ashes Test and the first match in the West Indies would seem to give him a great chance of being included, but McCullum might think the best way to get him into the squad is with the gloves.

The best glove of the three is undoubtedly Foakes, but failing to go over 50 in six innings in the West Indies has left him vulnerable.

Key and Stokes have already made noise to suggest that legendary England bowling duo Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, who were also ruled out of the West Indies tour, have strong chances of being included in the first Test against New Zealand on 2 of June.

Surprisingly, Anderson, who turns 40 in July, and Broad, who turns 36 in June, could be the healthiest fast bowling options McCullum has at his disposal. While he may not have excelled in the absence of Broad and Anderson in the Caribbean, Chris Woakes has been a reliable performer in his homeland, but it looks like he won’t be available at Lord’s.

Ollie Robinson has shown great potential during his short international career, but the 28-year-old’s body has repeatedly let him down. He must prove to McCullum that he is willing to put in the physical work required to allow him to cast meaningful spells at full speed.

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