England have named Brendon McCullum, a former New Zealand captain, in search of a new male Test coach on a four-year deal.
Chris Silverwood’s replacement, who has been ruled out of England’s disastrous Ashes tour, will lead Pomes for the first time in a three-Test series against New Zealand, starting at Lord’s on 2 June.
McCullum has been coaching the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League and has coached the Trincomalee Knight Riders to win the 2020 Caribbean Premier League title.
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He has previously played 101 Tests, 260 ODIs and 71 T20s for New Zealand, posting more than 14,000 international runs as the most destructive batsman in world cricket.
He was New Zealand captain from 2012 to 2016 until his international retirement.
McCallum’s announcement comes a fortnight after the announcement of Ben Stokes as Joe Root’s successor as captain, and also after the appointment of Rob Key’s managing director.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute positively to England’s Test cricket set-up and to take the team into a more successful era,” McCullum said.
“As I take on this role, I am acutely aware of the significant challenges that the team is currently facing, and I firmly believe in our ability to help the team emerge as a strong force when we face them.
“I have enjoyed a number of intense conversations with Rob Key about the direction of travel for the team, and I find his enthusiasm contagious.
“I’m not unfamiliar with bringing change to a team environment, and I can’t wait to get started.
“Ben Stokes is the perfect character to inspire change around him, and I look forward to working closely with him to build a successful unit around us.”
“McCallum is the number one choice in a very strong list of quality candidates,” Key said.
“We are delighted to have Brendon as the head coach of the England men’s Test. It is a great privilege to know him and to understand his attitude towards the game. I believe his appointment will be good for the England Test team.” .
“He has a recent history of changing the cricket culture and environment to make it better and I believe he is such a person for England red ball cricket.”
England are sixth in men’s Test cricket after Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan.
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