McCullum choice inspired - Athers
BRENDON McCullum’s appointment as England’s new head coach of the Test team could turn out to be an inspired choice, according to former captain Michael Atherton.
The former New Zealand skipper will leave his job at Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to take over a red-ball side which has fallen to bottom place in the World Test Championship.
The 40-year-old has never coached at first-class or Test level but he is renowned as one of the sport’s most progressive thinkers and dynamic leaders.
McCullum is understood to have agreed a four-year contract, edging the likes of Gary Kirsten whose credentials with South Africa and India had once made him favourite to land the job.
Atherton believes if McCullum can make the same impact he did as Black Caps skipper then England should be able to move forward with confidence for the challenges ahead.
He said: “It is a very bold and imaginative choice and it could be an inspiring choice for director of men’s cricket Rob Key with his first major decision.
“Giving Ben Stokes the captaincy was the obvious thing to do, so not much of a decision to make there, but there was quite a big decision to make around the coach.
“A week or so ago, I don’t think this was on anybody’s radar so Key has not made the obvious choice here - but I think it’s a very bold choice.
“He is a nice fit with Stokes, they both approach the game and play the game in a similar manner.
“They will look to get a very clear message, captain and coach, from the same page, to a team which now you expect to be given a bit of freedom and licence to play.”