"Bazball" is coming to England's stagnating white-ball cricket teams. England announced that Brendon McCullum, the coach of the test side since 2022, will also take charge of the one-day international and Twenty20 teams from the start of next year as part of a rejigged leadership structure. The relentless international schedule has made it difficult for one person to take on both roles, with matches in the shorter and longer formats occasionally overlapping.
McCullum and the England and Wales Cricket Board, which has extended his contract until 2027, believe it is now possible because of changes to the calendar.
"The idea of a unified coaching structure, especially with the schedule easing next year, made perfect sense," McCullum said. "I'm energized by the prospect of guiding both teams and am grateful for the support from the ECB and my family as I take on these added responsibilities."
Matthew Mott resigned as England's white-ball coach on July 30 after presiding over the team's disappointing defenses of its ODI and T20 world titles.
The Australian was in charge for two years - and led England to the T20 World Cup title in 2022 - but was no longer getting the best out of a talented group captained by Jos Buttler, whose position also came under scrutiny. Rob Key, the managing director of England men's cricket, decided a "new direction" was needed so enter McCullum, the laid-back Kiwi whose "Bazball" approach - as it has been widely labeled - has led to an improvement in the fortunes of England's test team under captain Ben Stokes. Essentially, it gives players license to be more attacking and emboldened with their shot-making and field placings, and be free from recrimination.
This story is from the September 2024 edition of Cricket Today.
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This story is from the September 2024 edition of Cricket Today.
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