McCullum touted for England coaching role
BENGALURU: Former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum is a contender to take over as England test coach, the BBC and other British media reported yesterday.
Chris Silverwood left the role in February in the aftermath of its 40 Ashes loss in Australia, with Paul Collingwood named as caretaker. The England and Wales Cricket Board then invited applications for separate test and whiteball coaches.
The reports said 40yearold McCullum, who is currently in charge of Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders, was keen on taking the job and that an announcement was expected this week.
Former South Africa and India head coach Gary Kirsten has been linked with the role, while Collingwood was also considered a candidate.
McCullum played the last of his 101 tests in Christchurch in February 2016 against Australia, where he hit the fastest century in the format (54 balls), finishing his career with 6453 runs, including 12 tons and 31 halfcenturies.
England last month unveiled
New Zealandborn Ben Stokes as its new test captain.
Meanwhile, Henry Nicholls will depart for England with the New Zealand squad this weekend but remains a doubt for the first of three tests because of a calf injury, Black Caps coach Gary Stead said yesterday.
There were concerns the 30yearold middleorder batsman would miss the tour because of the training injury, but scans revealed he had strained rather than torn the calf muscle in his right leg.
``While it's a positive that Henry hasn't torn the calf, the next two to three weeks are going to be crucial in terms of his recovery and subsequent availability for the test series,'' Stead said in a news release.
``Calves can be a challenge to rehab and we will need to minimise the risk of him reinjuring himself with any return to match action.’’
Lefthander Nicholls has been a fixture in New Zealand's middle order for the last five years, averaging 40.38 with eight centuries in 46 tests.
New Zealand named an extended 20man squad for the threetest series last week.
Stead said Nicholls was unlikely to play much part in tour games against Sussex and a First Class Counties XI which precede the first test at Lord's from June 26. — Reuters