When England appointed Brendon McCullum as their red-ball coach, a lot of eyebrows were raised. This was McCullum’s first international assignment as a head coach, and prior to it, he just coached the T20 franchise teams. However, it is safe to say that the duo of McCullum and Ben Stokes has done wonders for England’s cricket.
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England defeated India in the only test they played this year and also managed to thrash New Zealand and South Africa in their home summer. The way they played against New Zealand was a message to the world that test cricket will not be the same anymore under Baz.
There were a lot of talks that the approach won’t work anywhere else, but the way they have thrashed Pakistan in Pakistan have surprised a lot of people around. It is safe to say that England’s approach is suiting them, and they have managed to churn out results from difficult positions.
Stuart Broad highlights key change in England Test team
Stuart Broad is currently working as a pundit for SkySports in ongoing Pakistan vs England series, and he highlighted how Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have revamped the test setup of England. He said that the biggest thing that the duo has done is that they have changed the mindset of the players.
Broad revealed that the duo wants their players to play like they are playing in their home backyard and just enjoy the process of playing without thinking about the result of the game. He said that if the team can take the game forward in a positive way, the results won’t batter.
“Probably the biggest thing Stokesy and Bazz have brought to the group is the mindset,” Stuart Broad said to SkySports.
“The results do not matter, but if we are entertaining and taking the game forward, being positive, and enjoying ourselves, then we are in a good space.”
“That mindset that it’s just fun” 🏏❤️
Stuart Broad and Mark Butcher discuss the change in mindset that Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have brought to the England Test side 🧠 pic.twitter.com/dbrSAxdASF
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) December 20, 2022
Broad took a break from the Pakistan tour, as he wanted to stay with his partner during the birth of their 1st child. He has been an important member of England’s test side and is the 2nd best English bowler after James Anderson. On the New Zealand tour, Broad is expected to make his return.