England haven’t really been at their best in the longest format of the game of late. They have only won one out of their last 17 Tests. Besides, Joe Root stepped down as England’s Test captain after the Brits lost the three-match Test series against the West Indies by 0-1.
Thus Ben Stokes was named as England’s new red-ball skipper. Moreover, Brendon McCullum took up the role of England’s Test team coach. Thus, this shall mark a new era for English cricket. McCullum’s first assignment shall be the three-match Test series against New Zealand, which is set to start on June 2. Besides, the Kiwi legend has already expressed his excitement over working with Stokes.
In the meanwhile, the Kiwis are well aware of the potential threat that looms ahead of them. Thus, Tim Southee spoke about how McCullum will be giving his 100 percent. He also stated that it will be a great challenge for him.
“A great challenge for Brendon! Everything he does, he gives his 100 percent so this will be no different. I’m sure he will be doing everything he can to bring the best out of his players,” said Tim Southee in a video posted by Sky Sports Cricket. After which, he was asked if it would take time to get used to seeing McCullum in an England training kit.
To which, Southee gave a candid reaction which won the day. While mentioning that he has seen the 40-year-old in the hotel a couple of times, the pacer did say that it was strange to see him in it. Further on, he went on to praise McCullum, and stated that he has done an exceptional job in his transition from cricket.
“Seen him around a couple of times around the hotel. Yeah, it is strange to see him in it but yeah, good on him. he’s done an exceptional job in his transition from cricket. To get a job like this, it shows what kind of a person he is,” added Southee.
"It is strange to see him in it!" ?
Tim Southee is expecting Brendon McCullum to create an exciting brand of cricket at England… pic.twitter.com/cq8qwAfkRN
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) May 31, 2022
Earlier, McCullum had said that it was “bittersweet to coach England. He had also stated that he was excited over the same. Thus, it will be exciting if the former Kiwi captain does a good job as England’s Test coach.
“Really excited, but also some bittersweet stuff in regards to having to turn the page on a couple of thing. In life, I think, if you’re going to change what you’re doing, then make sure it’s worth the risk of doing so and this is a big enough challenge to risk that, that’s for sure,” Brendon McCullum had told SENZ radio.
