Brendon McCullum will oversee England’s fortunes in all three cricket formats from the start of next year after agreeing to succeed Matthew Mott as white-ball head coach.
The 42-year-old former New Zealand captain will replace Australian Mott, who stepped down following England’s T20 World Cup semi-final exit against eventual champions India in June.
McCullum has reinvigorated the Test set-up alongside captain Ben Stokes since May 2022 and will look to bring ‘Bazball’ to the ailing limited-overs sides as England merge the head coach roles once again.
He has extended his contract by 18 months to the end of 2027, officially taking over the ODI and T20 sides in January to coincide with a tour of India and the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
In the meantime, former England opener Marcus Trescothick will be in caretaker charge of the white-ball sides for the forthcoming visit of Australia and the tour to the West Indies in October and November.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Test team and I’m excited to extend my role to include the white-ball sides,” McCullum said.
“This new challenge is something I’m ready to embrace, and I’m eager to work closely with (white-ball captain) Jos (Buttler) and the team to build on the strong foundations that are already in place.”
Chris Silverwood’s sacking after the 2021/22 Ashes was followed by an acceptance that an unrelenting timetable – with some Test and white-ball assignments overlapping – was too much for one head coach.
McCullum was initially linked with joining Eoin Morgan’s world champions but was instead attracted by the idea of lifting an England Test side that had won one of their previous 17 matches out of the doldrums.
He has transformed the team’s fortunes since his appointment and one more victory over Sri Lanka in the next week will ensure a perfect summer in Tests at home for the first time in 20 years.
With England’s fixture programme subsiding post-Christmas for the next couple of years, McCullum has accepted a plea from managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key to succeed Mott.
“Rob Key’s vision for the future of English cricket is something that really resonated with me,” McCullum added.
“The idea of a unified coaching structure, especially with the schedule easing next year, made perfect sense. I’m energised by the prospect of guiding both teams.”
McCullum still resides in New Zealand and will return home after England’s Test series against Sri Lanka ends next week before joining the team for the forthcoming tours of Pakistan and New Zealand.
He inherits a white-ball outfit that have surrendered both limited-overs World Cups in the last 12 months, which led to Mott’s axing in July.
McCullum will be at the helm as they try to win them back with the next T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2026 and the 50-over equivalent in southern Africa in 2027.
“I’m delighted that Brendon has chosen to do both roles now with England,” Key said.
“I believe we are incredibly fortunate that a coach of his quality is prepared to commit wholeheartedly to English cricket.
“Being able to align all teams now is particularly exciting and we look forward to taking on all challenges that come our way.
“The timing of the schedule (from January) will allow him to dedicate the necessary focus to both roles, and we’re confident this restructure will bring out the best in our players and coaching staff.”
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au