Cricket-McCullum vows to inject positive energy into England team

By Christian Radnedge

LONDON (Reuters) - England's cricket team are in desperate need of a lift and new coach Brendon McCullum vowed on Friday to bring some enthusiasm into the camp as he starts his role ahead of the first test against New Zealand at Lord's next week.

McCullum replaced Chris Silverwood who left the role in February after England were thrashed 4-0 in the Ashes in Australia.

The 40-year-old, who scored 6,453 test runs for New Zealand in his playing career, only has coaching experience in the Indian Premier League but was confident he could kickstart a turnaround for a side who have managed one win in their last 17 tests.

"My job will be to try to take away some of the pressures initially, bring in some enthusiasm. Naturally, when there's some change, guys kind of get a bit of a lift anyway, so hopefully that will translate to performances early as well," McCullum told a media roundtable at Lord's.

"But first I've got to have a look around and see where things sort of sit currently and try and identify some areas where we might need to make some changes at times too, but I'm very much looking forward to the challenge."

There has already been a change in hierarchy on the field as Ben Stokes takes over as captain, succeeding Joe Root, who led the side in a record 64 tests over five years but stepped down after the March 1-0 series defeat in West Indies.

McCullum captained New Zealand in 31 tests and was part of the resurgence that led to them becoming a real force in the long game, eventually culminating in their winning the World Test Championship last year under his successor Kane Williamson.

With Stokes being such a talisman for England, McCullum said their relationship would be key in dragging the