Vaughan fears for new England chief
ENGLAND are taking a massive risk in making Brendon McCullum their Test match coach.
That’s the view of former skipper Michael Vaughan who would have preferred a more experienced man to take the helm.
McCullum was unveiled as the Three Lions’ chief in the red- ball game this week to a mixed response.
Many wonder if the 40- year- old has enough experience for the top job.
Safer
Vaughan thinks it would have made more sense to appoint South African Gary Kirsten who has a track record of success on the international stage.
The Yorkshireman can see the positives McCullum brings but thinks England may need a safer pair of hands given how low they have slipped in the world five- day rankings.
He said: “He is the perfect mentor, thinker and culture driver who has done it before and has the t- shirt.
“What England have gone for in Brendon is exciting and a big name, but it is a big risk they are taking as well. He is taking over England at the right time.
“They are at their lowest ebb since the mid 1990s.
“He will not have to do much for us all to see a massive improvement but if it doesn’t happen quickly then there will be questions asked about his appointment and whether England would have been better off with a safer pair of hands, more experienced and know how to coach in Test cricket. But one thing is for sure, we are in for an interesting ride.”
McCullum has made his name as a coach in the T20 sphere where he has enjoyed plenty of success in the Indian Premier League and other franchises.
It may have made more sense for him to take over the whita ball side, but he insists he wanted the meatier job of sorting out England’s Test cricketers.
McCullum said: “The white ball job didn’t interest me as such because they are flying.
“They are one of the best teams in the world, they are the world champions after the 2019 World Cup.
“They’ve got Eoin Morgan in there who is a very good friend of mine who has built a structure and a system that will continue well after he has finished playing, so I wasn’t interested in a cushy gig.
“I’m looking to try to build something long term, sustainable and successful, that is where the challenge lay, plus I love Test cricket.
Love
“In life I think if you’re going to change what you’re doing then make sure it is worth the risk of doing so.
And this is a big enough challenge to risk doing so, that is for sure.
While I’ve been lucky enough to have a career in franchise and white ball cricket, Test cricket is my real love.
“If anyone is going to be able to reinvigorate Test cricket, make it popular again and attract it to the next generation it is going to be England.”