England Test coach Brendon McCullum feels that Ben Stokes was handed the captaincy at the right time, following the team’s glorious start to the home summer.
Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand skipper, was made the England Test coach last month. That was after Stokes was handed the red-ball captaincy, following Joe Root’s resignation from the post after England’s difficult run in the format over a period of more than a year.
The side has found a new-found intent, aiding positive results, much like the ODI side had endured in the 2015 home summer under Eoin Morgan, after the disappointing World Cup exit in Australia and New Zealand.
It’s been quite a partnership thus far between Stokes and McCullum, both of whom are known for their aggressive and positive approach at all junctures. McCullum felt that the timing was perfect in the 31-year-old’s appointment as captain, though he expressed initial worries of their styles being far too similar.
“I think where Stokesy’s at in his career, and his aspirations as a leader and where he sees his team needs to go, it aligns beautifully to his personality and also to mine,”
McCullum told SENZ Radio.
“The danger probably was that we’d be too similar. But I think both of us have got such motivation to try and improve the side that we give and take in the areas we need to, and we try and ensure that we surround ourselves with leaders within the group as well, both on the field and also support staff who can fill in some of the gaps where we may not be as strong as well.”
England are currently leading the three-match home Test series against the Black Caps by 2-0, having won each of the first two Tests by five-wickets. The second win at Trent Bridge was one of Test cricket’s most incredible results, with the hosts chasing down 299 in just 50 overs on the final day, with Jonny Bairstow leading the way with England’s second-fastest Test hundred ever.
Notably, the win came after New Zealand had scored 553 in the first innings after being put in to bat. England needed 160 runs in the final session of the game, and Bairstow and Stokes knocked 59 off them in the first four. As it turned out, the win was secured on the final ball of the 16th over post Tea, with Stokes fittingly hitting the winning runs.
Ben Foakes, who had walked off unbeaten on 12, would reveal how McCullum’s inspiring ted talk on that final day fuelled energy among the players. The coach didn’t reveal the details of the chat, and emphasised on the broader picture.
“There’s moments in Test matches, there’s moments in series, there’s moments in careers where you’ve got to be strong enough to stick to what the plan was initially.
And just because there’s more at risk, or there’s more on the table, you shouldn’t walk away from that. And that was very much the message, go out there and try to win lads, that’s what we’re here for.
“We’ve done well even if we get beat, we’ve played a good game of cricket and if someone’s able to stand up to us and beat us when we throw everything at them then you’ve got to be content with it. And that was very much the messaging and the guys have been fantastic,”
added McCullum.
