‘Wants to bring that influence’ – Michael Atherton analyses Brendon McCullum’s appointment as England white-ball coach

Michael Atherton and Brendon McCullum (Twitter)

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) appointed Brendon McCullum as the new white-ball head coach. The former New Zealand cricketer has done a commendable job as the head coach of the Test team, as under his guidance, England have played an aggressive brand of cricket, which made them one of the fiercest competitors in world cricket.

The 42-year-old also encouraged youngsters to step up as the likes of Shoaib Bashir, Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed, Will Jacks, and recently Gus Atkinson were given the opportunity to show their worth and seal their spot in the Test team. Meanwhile, analyzing McCullum’s appointment in white-ball cricket, former cricketer Michael Atherton stated ECB director Rob Key wanted to use his influence as England’s white-ball team now needs a revolution.

McCullum did that with the Test side and it was a success now he has the baton to change the fate of the white-ball team, that was embarrassed in the ODI World Cup and lost in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024. Atherton believes that McCullum can influence youngsters to play a certain brand of cricket and uplift England cricket.

Also Read – I don’t doubt Brendon McCullum’s credentials, but coaching England white-ball team will be a big challenge: Michael Atherton

“I think Key wants McCullum’s influence brought to bear on some of these really good young players right at the start of their international careers. That’s when you can shape and mould players, isn’t it? That’s when they’re still kind of open to outside influence when they’re still soaking it all in, eager to learn and eager to change, that’s when you can have the most influence on a young player,” said Atherton in Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.

“Now, as we move on from Morgan’s generation, I think Key wants McCullum to bring that influence and obviously the white-ball role now intrigues him in a way that it didn’t two years ago, because they’re in need of the kind of regeneration that the Test team needed two years ago,” he added.

Meanwhile, McCullum will miss the upcoming white-ball series against Australia. Former cricketer Marcus Trescothick will be coaching the team in his absence.