England 'won't die wondering' under McCullum, says Southee

Tim Southee has forecast an exciting time for England under Brendon McCullum as the former New Zealand captain prepares to go up against the reigning World Test champions at Lord's. Thursday's opening match of a three-game series will be McCullum's first Test as England coach, with the hosts looking to him to kickstart their red-ball fortunes in much the same way he sparked a New Zealand revival when captain of his native country. England are currently on a miserable run of one win in 17 Tests, with McCullum something of a surprise choice to succeed Chris Silverwood given his lack of red-ball coaching experience, although he will be working alongside a captain with a similar outlook in the newly-appointed Ben Stokes.

"It's exciting, obviously a great challenge for Brendon," paceman Southee, who has spent much of his career playing alongside McCullum, told reporters at Lord's on Tuesday. Southee, who has taken 338 wickets in 85 Tests, said he expected McCullum to transfer the qualities that made him a dynamic batsman and successful captain into his England role. "He's a great man-manager and he loves to try to get the best out of people.

I'm sure he'll be doing that here as well. "The way he played his cricket was exciting, fearless, and that's the way he is a person and I'm sure that's the way he is as a coach as well. "It will be an exciting brand of cricket, I'm sure.