I like the thought of Rob Key booting up the Test cricket batting strikerates versus average chart and immediately seizing upon the lonely dot that is McCullum as the man to lead England
I like the thought of Rob Key booting up the Test cricket batting strikerates versus average chart and immediately seizing upon the lonely dot that is McCullum as the man to lead England
I’m sure there is a good point lurking in there somewhere Leuth
When I first heard him linked I assumed it was for the white ball stuff. Very surprised when they said tests. It's an interesting one. Graham Ford or Gary Kirsten are the safe options. Both experienced coaches and know the test match game but they are more of the same. McCullum is something different but I have come round to the idea. He was a big part of NZ developing into a top side in all formats and was a big personality behind the way they play and that "brand of cricket" 🤮 so if he can impart some of that on us and get us playing positive attacking cricket then that would be great and I think it's exactly how stokes would want to play cricket.
Have a feeling the BMac Appoint might mean we see Liam Livingstone in the test side at some point. Not based on anything but I know BMac is a fan and he plays that type of cricket that he likes.
As a Charlton & Sussex fan I feel I must've wronged someone in a previous life.... Delray Rawlins at 5 and Lenham at 7! Pujara is going to need to get 300 rather than 200 this week
“When times are really difficult you need people to step into that challenge and I am here to do that. I have never been more determined to do that. I am not running away from the challenge,” Harrison said in February. “It has been exceptionally difficult but I am not running away because it needs leadership and some consistency in terms of how we build back to a place where the game can recover from an extremely difficult period both on and off the pitch.”
England look to have kept faith with familiar players for the squad for the first Test of the LV= Insurance Test series against New Zealand.
As well as recalls for James Anderson and Stuart Broad, The Cricketer understands that Alex Lees, Craig Overton and Jack Leach have retained their places in the squad following the tour to the Caribbean.
Despite an excellent start to the season, Harry Brook looks set to be included only as a reserve batter with Ollie Pope winning a recall to the side at No. 3. Zak Crawley is expected to open with Lees.
Ben Foakes is expected to retain his role with the gloves, but Jonny Bairstow may well return to bat at No.5 despite not having played a first-class game since the end of the Caribbean tour.
There is understood to be no place for Matt Parkinson, the Lancashire leg-spinner who has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, though Matt Potts, the Durham seamer, is expected to be included.
Dan Lawrence and Ollie Robinson are expected to be included in the squad, too, though both will be required to prove their fitness ahead of the Test.
While several extra players will be named, some – such as Brook – are included in the knowledge they are reserves.
Some might consider it a surprisingly conservative selection. Certainly, there was much expectation of a bold approach from the new regime of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. But it appears they have instead decided to take a look at existing players before making long-term decisions on their future.
Team confirmed. England squad: Ben Stokes (Durham, captain), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Jack Leach (Somerset), Alex Lees (Durham), Craig Overton (Somerset), Matthew Potts (Durham), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Joe Root (Yorkshire).
Interestingly it seems Pope will bat at 3, Root 4, Stokes 6. Between Brook and Bairstow at 5 with Lawrence injured
Comments
Could see him as limited overs coach, but surprised to see him linked to the Test Role
I think he would be a good choice.
Interesting to see how it works out
The England and Wales Cricket Board announced today that it has appointed Brendon McCullum as England Men's Test Head Coach.
I am marking out my long run in the garden as we speak.
Harrison must have been paid his bonus!
But now the bad news according to The Cricketer:
England look to have kept faith with familiar players for the squad for the first Test of the LV= Insurance Test series against New Zealand.
As well as recalls for James Anderson and Stuart Broad, The Cricketer understands that Alex Lees, Craig Overton and Jack Leach have retained their places in the squad following the tour to the Caribbean.
Despite an excellent start to the season, Harry Brook looks set to be included only as a reserve batter with Ollie Pope winning a recall to the side at No. 3. Zak Crawley is expected to open with Lees.
Ben Foakes is expected to retain his role with the gloves, but Jonny Bairstow may well return to bat at No.5 despite not having played a first-class game since the end of the Caribbean tour.
There is understood to be no place for Matt Parkinson, the Lancashire leg-spinner who has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, though Matt Potts, the Durham seamer, is expected to be included.
Dan Lawrence and Ollie Robinson are expected to be included in the squad, too, though both will be required to prove their fitness ahead of the Test.
While several extra players will be named, some – such as Brook – are included in the knowledge they are reserves.
Some might consider it a surprisingly conservative selection. Certainly, there was much expectation of a bold approach from the new regime of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. But it appears they have instead decided to take a look at existing players before making long-term decisions on their future.
Team confirmed. England squad: Ben Stokes (Durham, captain), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Jack Leach (Somerset), Alex Lees (Durham), Craig Overton (Somerset), Matthew Potts (Durham), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Joe Root (Yorkshire).
Interestingly it seems Pope will bat at 3, Root 4, Stokes 6. Between Brook and Bairstow at 5 with Lawrence injured