McCullum huge asset for England: Nicholls
WELLINGTON: Brendon McCullum will be a ‘‘massive asset’’ in the English dressing room and the coach’s aggressive mindset should fit handinglove with captain Ben Stokes, according to Black Caps batter Henry Nicholls.
Named England head coach last week, former New Zealand captain McCullum will plot the downfall of his old team in the threetest series starting at Lord’s on June 2.
England has won only one of its last 17 tests, but Nicholls described McCullum as a man who could put the swagger back into English cricket.
‘‘It’s been well documented the impact he’s had on New Zealand cricket and the culture within the team, so he’s going to be a massive asset to England,’’ Nicholls told reporters.
‘‘He’s a hugely inspiring character and certainly a guy who will lead from the front.
‘‘He gave everyone around him a lot of confidence and made you feel like you’re 10foot tall at times and bulletproof.
‘‘I know a lot of English guys have probably spent a bit of time with him at the IPL (Indian
Premier League) and different franchises around the world, so I’m sure he won’t be too foreign to them.
‘‘It’s pretty exciting for us to be taking him on first up at Lord’s as well.’’
McCullum and New Zealandborn skipper Stokes have been tasked with pulling England out of its slump, and should have plenty in common, Nicholls suggested.
‘‘Obviously with Ben taking over as well — we know the style of cricket that he plays.
‘‘They’re quite similar characters, certainly in the way they play the game in terms of taking the aggressive options and giving the guys around them confidence.
‘‘It’s certainly an exciting time for England cricket from a test point of view and it’s going to be a great challenge for us.’’
New Zealand starts a fourday tour match against Sussex tonight NZ time.
Nursing a calf injury, Nicholls ruled himself out of the game but hopes to be available for the second tour match against a counties representative XI from May 26.
In Black Caps squad updates, Will Young, Colin de Grandhomme and Michael Bracewell are now in camp in the United Kingdom.
Captain Kane Williamson is heading home to New Zealand from the Indian Premier League for the birth of his second child.
He will arrive in England next week ahead of the second warmup game in Chelmsford.
Bowler Neil Wagner will also arrive next week after he stayed behind in New Zealand following the birth of his second child. — Reuters/RNZ