England head coach Brendon McCullum is ready to make changes to his coaching style as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) reviews England’s poor performance in the recently concluded Ashes series.
The Ben Stokes-led England team lost the series 4–1 Down Under. A fourth straight series defeat on Australian soil has forced the ECB to conduct a comprehensive review of the team’s results, preparation and players’ behaviour. Commenting on the review, McCullum said he is open to change but made it clear that he expects to retain the authority of a head coach.
“Whatever you do in life, I think you have to have some authenticity,” McCullum said in an interview with Nasser Hussain for Sky Sports. “For me, in the job as coach, when you’re trying to guide, shepherd and assist players, you need to have an influence over how the environment runs, and to be in charge of a lot of those decisions that are made when the pressure’s on.”
McCullum further said he is not against making adjustments following the review. “So, as long as that remains, I’m open to progress, I’m open to evolution and some nipping and tucking. But without being ultimately able to steer the ship, maybe there is someone better,” he added.
The England coach said he still believes in his coaching methods. “It depends what changes, right? I have a firm conviction in a lot of my methods. I’m not against evolution and not against progress,” he said.
Despite the pressure on him, the New Zealander wants to continue in the role.
“When I took this job, I didn’t take it for any other reason than I thought I could help, and that hasn’t changed,” he said. “I believe I can help. I’m keen to carry on in the job. I think there’s some exciting talent within the game, and I think the progress we’ve made has been pretty good.”
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