Brendon McCullum hoping to help England Test team lose ‘fear of failure’

Brendon McCullum wants to rid England’s Test team of its “fear of failure” as he prepares to launch a new era at Lord’s next week.

McCullum made his first appearance as head coach at the home of cricket on Friday, having made a circuitous journey from the Indian Premier League via his home in New Zealand, and laid out his plans for England’s fresh start.

He inherits a side on a desperate run of one win in 17 matches and rock bottom of the World Test Championship table, with just three days of work before they head back into action against his fellow Kiwis on Thursday.

With Ben Stokes replacing Joe Root as skipper there has been a change of leadership on the field too and McCullum hopes to quickly alter the mindset around the group.

Assessing England’s struggles over the past 12 months, the former New Zealand captain said: “I see guys who are maybe just a little bit struck by the fear of failure rather than the possibility of success.

“I look at it with a different kind of lens. My first job is to try to bring a real fresh kind of approach and a relaxed style that simplifies things somewhat.

“It’s not going to be easy, I understand that, and there’ll be some guys that get there quicker than others. But one thing I can guarantee is that when you do get to that state where you’re playing the game for the game’s sake, because you enjoy it and you’re invested in it and you immerse yourself in that moment, cricket’s a great game to play.

I see guys who are maybe just a little bit struck by the fear of failure rather than the possibility of success. I look at it with a different kind of lens. - Brendon McCullum

“It’s not a great game when you’re worried about all the other stuff which goes on. That’ll be the message which I