Brendon McCullum co-coaching the Test cricket England men’s head of since bubble 2022. As his team aims for a make-or-break 2024, he’s given them a hefty to-do list. Under his guidance, the team has undergone an incredible turnaround – winning 22 of their last 35 matches. This success represents a staggering reversal of fortune. Under his leadership, before his appointment, they had not won a single game in 17 matches.
Even with the team’s remarkable 10-2 record of late, there are still obstacles ahead. Indeed, England could not successfully defend the Ashes either, as they found themselves 2-0 down to Australia before coming back to draw the series. They suffered a disaster in India and a debacle in Pakistan in that very year. A bright spot emerged earlier this month when England climbed to second place in the International Cricket Council Test rankings.
The national team are preparing for a one-off Test against Zimbabwe which starts on Thursday. For McCullum, it was the need to engage with fans that made this fixture so important. He’s trying to get fans to have an emotional connection with the brand. This connection is not limited to the players but extends to their captivating brand of cricket too.
“It’s a matter of taking this team from a good team into being something English people are really proud of.” – Brendon McCullum
McCullum admits that even with the progress the team has made, there’s still work to be done. He stated, “We’re not trying to pick this team up any more,” indicating that the focus is now on improving their performance. He believes they are well-positioned for success moving forward, adding, “We’re actually travelling pretty good but there’s an opportunity now.”
The upcoming marquee series at home against India and another series against Australia for the Ashes will test the team’s mettle. As he departed for the tournament, McCullum was bullish on his squad’s potential. Like many other players, Stokes feels they are poised to “shoot for the stars” in what he describes as a defining year for English cricket.
Ben Stokes, the captain of that remarkable England team, has received some extravagant compliments from McCullum. He recalled that Stokes was the “most ruthless” sportsperson he’d ever met. Stokes’s leadership qualities and competitive spirit came to the fore.
“We’re very lucky to have him in the chair because he’s going to be very strong about trying to push this team to the next level.” – Brendon McCullum
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