How Brendon McCullum changed the culture of England cricket - in just two weeks

He is only two weeks into a four year contract but already Brendon McCullum has changed England’s approach to Test cricket by saying very little and urging his players to enjoy themselves.

It sounds simple but Test cricket is such a pressurised environment, unique in professional sport for the length of time players are thrown together, that the successful coaches are those who know how to lighten the mood, while still commanding respect, and resist the temptation to micromanage.

Two wins out of two including an extraordinary 299 run chase at Trent Bridge, completed with 22 overs to spare, has made this the most golden of honeymoon periods.

The players left the ground at 11.15pm on Tuesday night and picked up kebabs at Mega Munch takeaway on the way back to their hotel in Nottingham city centre, having been told by their head coach in his short debrief to enjoy the moment. They have not won many games recently and when they did over the last couple of summers they could not enjoy themselves due to Covid restrictions.

What better way to celebrate a famous Test win than with a big dirty takeaway? #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/wB2sQyvVcW

So far the players have described McCullum as an excellent communicator with clarity over what he expects from them. He has told them to ignore criticism from pundits or supporters and only listen to those within the team.

Before the second Test he was particularly keen to speak one on one with Ollie Pope and Jonny Bairstow, recognising both were struggling for different reasons. Pope was still coming to terms with his new role at No3 and poor England form while Bairstow needs to feel wanted, something that has been lacking in recent years.

McCullum has trimmed the number of backroom staff around