England’s new Test coach Brendon McCullum reckons his outsider status as a New Zealander could help rid the under-performing team of their “fear of failure” after a torrid run over the last 15 months. The former Kiwi captain who takes over the role from Chris Silverwood has inherited an England side that sits rock bottom of the World Test Championship with a solitary win in 17 Tests.
“My first job is to try to bring a real fresh kind of approach and a relaxed kind of style simplifies things somewhat. Strip away some of the stuff that sits on the outside that doesn’t really matter but can affect you as a person and you carry as baggage onto the field, and keep things as relaxed as possible,” said McCullum.
“If we can do that, talent can come to the fore. it’s not about finding someone who’s got a better cover drive or a better hook shot, it’s just allowing the guys to be able to make good decisions because they’re in a clear frame of mind and a positive environment.”
England, with a new captain at the helm in Ben Stokes, are scheduled to face New Zealand in the first of a three-match Test series at Lord’s, beginning next Thursday. They then proceed to play India in a single Test after the fifth and final match of last year’s series was called off due to a coronavirus outbreak.
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Brendon McCullum: It is my job to take the pressure off England players who fear failure
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— Standard Sport (@standardsport) May 28, 2022
