MCCULLUM HAS A FREE HIT

Stewart insists new Test coach has nothing to lose in Kiwi series but will face big decisions later in the summer

BRENDON MCCULLUM has a ‘free hit’ at the start of this summer before his grand plans for England’s Test team will start to take effect.

The new head coach never needed inviting twice to have a go and express himself with the bat, but he can now enjoy the freedom that comes with starting a new job before big decisions need to be made.

And this is where Mccullum and England’s players have to step up over the next three Tests against New Zealand by showing who deserves to be on the journey to create a team capable of success. The first Test with New Zealand starts at Lord’s on Thursday.

It was 23 years ago when England followed up a dismal Ashes campaign Down Under with a Test series against New Zealand with a new captain at the helm.

Nasser Hussain was joined by coach Duncan Fletcher at the end of that summer but things started poorly with a 2-1 loss to the Kiwis before defeat to South Africa away.

But Fletcher and Hussain quickly identified the players they thought could deliver for them, and who had the character required for Test cricket, and were then rewarded with four series wins on the bounce. “Brendon Mccullum has got a free hit at the start of this summer,” said Alec Stewart (above, left), the man Hussain replaced as England skipper in 1999.

“He’s got a chance with the New Zealand series and the one-off Test against India to assess the players he’s got and see how they fit into the environment he and Ben Stokes create.

“The players will have their eyes open too as to how he works and then decisions will be made as to which personalities, characters and abilities will be asked to stick around and where he might want to get others in.

“Results are always important. But from where England are and where we were in 1999, you are trying to build something, so you have to give Mccullum some time. He is inheriting a group of players, so he needs time to be able to assess them and then add his strengths to that set-up.”

The signing of a four-year deal by Mccullum (above) shows this is a long-term project and instant gratification should not be expected from a side who have won just once in 17 Tests.

His openness to the return to Test cricket of Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid are eye-catching names who might help in the short term.

But his ability to develop talent such as batter Harry Brook and Matt Parkinson, the uncapped leg-spinner, will be crucial. There remains several proven performers in the Test side to get excited about, not least captain Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

But there is little doubt that any future success will be built on the shoulders of Joe Root’s run-scoring prowess and how he handles the switch back into the ranks after being captain.

“Joe Root’s runs are absolutely vital to England,” added Stewart. “I think he will have huge hunger to deliver as a batsman and senior player.

“It was always my ambition to play for England, the captaincy was a bonus. Playing and helping your team win is what the game is all about. I can see Joe has a similar outlook.”