England Appoints Brendon McCullum as New Men’s White-Ball Coach

Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand cricket legend, has been appointed as England’s new men’s white-ball coach, a role he will combine with his current position as Test coach. The 42-year-old will replace Australian Matthew Mott, who stepped down after this summer’s T20 World Cup. McCullum is set to begin his dual role in January 2025.

McCullum has already made a significant impact on England’s Test team, working alongside captain Ben Stokes to instill a fearless style of play dubbed ‘Bazball,’ which has seen England win 19 out of 28 Tests since his arrival. Now, he is eager to bring that same energy and innovation to England’s white-ball teams.

“This new challenge is something I’m ready to embrace, and I’m eager to work closely with [captain] Jos Buttler and the team to build on the strong foundations already in place,” McCullum said. He also expressed enthusiasm for England’s future, noting that the unified coaching structure aligns with the vision of men’s director of cricket, Rob Key.

England’s cricket schedule is set to ease next year, allowing McCullum to focus on both roles effectively. Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim head coach for the white-ball team in their upcoming series against Australia and in the Caribbean later this year. McCullum’s first major assignment in his new role will be a tour of India before February’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Since taking over a struggling Test side, McCullum has been credited with revolutionizing their approach, as England’s Test team now scores at an average of 4.57 runs per over, a significant increase from the previous 3.09. His influence on England’s white-ball game is equally profound, having inspired the aggressive style of play that led England to their 2019 World Cup triumph.

Rob Key praised McCullum’s decision to take on both roles, emphasizing the benefits of aligning all teams under a unified coaching philosophy. “I believe we are incredibly fortunate that a coach of his quality is prepared to commit wholeheartedly to English cricket,” Key said.

McCullum will take a brief break in New Zealand after the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka before rejoining the Test team for winter tours of Pakistan and New Zealand later this year.