Mccullum tipped for England job
Former New Zealand captain Brendon Mccullum could be coaching England against his former side in the test series starting next month.
UK media outlets report that Mccullum has emerged as a leading contender to be England’s new head test coach, in the sights of England and Wales Cricket Board’s new managing director, Rob Key.
England are seeking separate coaches for their test and white-ball men’s teams and while Mccullum was originally expected to be a possible contender for the limited-overs job, The Telegraph, The Mirror and The Guardian all report that he is in serious consideration for the test role.
The Black Caps will play three tests in England against the hosts next month, with the first test starting at Lord’s on June 2.
Mccullum has never coached a firstclass team but is currently coaching the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition.
Under the headline ‘Kiwi legend Brendon Mccullum emerges as new favourite to become new England test coach’, Dean Wilson of The Mirror wrote Mccullum could form a ‘‘dream partnership’’ with new test captain Ben Stokes, ‘‘as two men who have similar positive outlooks on the game and how to take it forward.
Black Caps batter Henry Nicholls is in a race against time to be fit for the first test versus England.
Nicholls has suffered a grade 1 strain to his right calf muscle and while he will still head off to England with the New Zealand team this week for the three-test tour, his participation for the first test will depend on how quickly he recovers.
Nicholls’ injury occurred on day one of a three-day training camp onmonday for the New Zealand-based players on the squad for the England tour.