England Test captain Ben Stokes believes Brendon McCullum is a very determined person and his appointment as England’s new white-ball coach will be “amazing for English cricket”.
Brendon McCullum has been appointed as England’s new white-ball head coach after Matthew Mott was removed from the role in July 2024 following England’s unsuccessful 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, where they lost to eventual champions India in the semi-finals.
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Ben Stokes reacts to Brendon McCullum’s appointment as England white-ball coach
While speaking to Sky Sports Cricket, Ben Stokes shared his views on McCullum’s appointment to the post of head coach of the England men’s white-ball cricket team.
Stokes believes this is great for English cricket and hopes McCullum can be just as effective in white-ball cricket as he has been for the England Test team.
“I think it’s fantastic for English cricket. What Baz (Brendon McCullum) has brought to this team and the players in it, and the confidence he’s instilled in me and this team as well is brilliant. I’m really looking forward to the lads involved in the white-ball team experiencing that as well,” Stokes said.
“He is a fantastic human being and a great coach” 🗣️
Ben Stokes says it’s “great for English cricket” that Brendon McCullum has been appointed as England’s white-ball coach in addition to his role as Test coach 🏴image.twitter.com/n0y7NjuOQV
— Sky Cricket Sports (@SkyCricket) September 4, 2024
“Baz is very determined” – Ben Stokes
The versatile player was enthusiastic and said that McCullum is exactly the type of coach that a team wants. He believes that McCullum can have an impact anywhere in the world.
“He’s a fantastic human being, a great coach. I’m really excited for the white-ball teams to be able to move forward with Baz and Jos (Buttler) up front. Obviously, he’s taken up this challenge because he feels he can make a difference, he feels he can help. That’s something you expect from your coach. You don’t want a coach who just comes in and lets things play out,” Stokes said.
“Baz is very determined. He’s a very determined person to go in and make an impact wherever he goes in the world as a coach. Yeah, I think it’s amazing for English cricket that Brendon is going to coach both teams,” the all-rounder added.
Brendon McCullum’s first assignment as white-ball coach
Brendon McCullum’s first task as England’s white-ball coach will be the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Australia at home.
His tenure will last until the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be played in October-November of that year in South Africa.
McCullum is credited with introducing the Bazball method to the England Test team. Using this method, England have played an aggressive style of cricket in the red-ball format and have shown their intent to win matches.
As a result, England have been fantastic under Brendon McCullum and have lost only one series so far (to India earlier this year).