What will Brendon McCullum bring to the England role?

Brendon McCullum has been unveiled as the new head coach of England’s men’s Test side.

Pending visa approvals, McCullum will arrive in the UK in time to lead a three-Test series against his home country New Zealand next month.

Here, the PA news agency takes a deeper look at the appointment.

– What can England expect from McCullum?

Attack-minded but also selfless in pursuit of his goals, McCullum put in motion the philosophy as New Zealand captain that transformed the Black Caps’ fortunes from also-rans to winners of the inaugural World Test Championship, under Kane Williamson last year.

Eoin Morgan has widely acknowledged that he modelled England’s white-ball rejuvenation on the New Zealand side that McCullum led to the final of the 2015 50-over World Cup.

– Is he not be a better fit for the white-ball role?When he came into the frame, it was widely interpreted that he would take up the position as limited-overs coach. McCullum has never been a head coach of a first-class team.

And he developed a close friendship over the years with Morgan, with the pair forming a coach-captain axis at the Kolkata Knight Riders, who finished as runners-up in last year’s Indian Premier League.

– So why has he been given the Test role?

England’s Test side is in urgent need of repair after a run of one win in their last 17 Tests. And Rob Key, director of England men’s cricket, believes McCullum’s style will fit well with new skipper Ben Stokes and create “a formidable coach and captain partnership”.

– What about McCullum’s IPL role?Key previously indicated having a role in the IPL would not be a barrier to taking one of the England coaching roles. But McCullum will give up his role with the Knight Riders.

– Was he the obvious choice?

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