I Think Both Brendon McCullum And Ben Stokes Are Cut From Same Cloth – Nasser Hussain Excited For England's New Test Coach And Captain Pair

Former England captain Nasser Hussain welcomed Brendon McCullum’s appointment as England Test coach.

The former New Zealand skipper will work closely with England’s new Test leader Ben Stokes, who was also born in New Zealand.

Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes on a mission to revamp England Test structure

McCullum and Stokes will lead England’s revival in the red-ball format after England failed to win eight Tests in their tour to Australia (4-0) and West Indies (1-0). England’s poor track record led to many changes in its structure.

After the Ashes debacle, head coach Chris Silverwood and batting coach Graham Thorpe were left to leave along with then managing director Ashley Giles.

Joe Root stepped down from the Test captain’s role days after England lost to West Indies in March.

After Rob Key was appointed the new managing director of the England men’s team, it was decided that ECB will adopt split coaching roles for red-ball (Tests) and white-ball formats (ODIs and T20Is).

Brendon McCullum definitely fits that bill: Nasser Hussain

Hussain said it was a surprising decision of McCullum to take Test cricket coaching as everyone reckoned him for limited-overs format. The 54-year-old also said McCullum and Stokes will be positive leaders for Rob Key.

“It’s a little bit left field, I think most people expected maybe a Brendon McCullum type to come into the white-ball team and work with his mate Eoin Morgan and possibly somebody with more experience in red-ball cricket like a Gary Kirsten come in for the Test match format,” Hussain told Sky Sports.

“But Rob Key sees it differently, I think both Stokes and McCullum are cut from the same cloth and Key has that sort of idea that he wants a positive captain and positive coach taking the team in a new direction and McCullum definitely fits that bill,” he added.

England will start their new era with the three-match Test series against New Zealand, starting on June 2 at the Lord’s.

Also Read: Nasser Hussain: Ben Stokes Has The Respect, Class, And Aura To Lead England Out Of The Doldrums