London :Ā Brendon McCullum will have an immediate impact on England’s test team but fans may need to be patient for the results to come, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said. Former New Zealand captain McCullum has taken the reins of England for the two-test series against his former team, which starts at Lord’s on Thursday.
Along with new England skipper Ben Stokes and a new managing director in Rob Key, McCullum has been charged with turning around a team that has managed one win in 17 tests. Stead said McCullum, along with former Black Caps head coach Mike Hesson, had been the catalyst for change in New Zealand cricket and would waste little time making his mark in his new role.
I have no doubt, knowing Baz (McCullum), that he will have an instant impact, Stead told reporters. Brendon will bring that heart-on-the-sleeve type (of) play, Iām sure, into that England squad.Ā Heāll be really clear on what he wants and how he wants them to play the game. (But) … itās still about the players playing the game. Iām sure he will have some impact but whether thatās right now or in the future, who knows?
New Zealand named a 15-man squad on Monday but injured batsman Henry Nicholls and pace spearhead Trent Boult, who played in the Indian Premier League final at the weekend, are unlikely to feature at Lord’s. Winners of the World Test Championship last year, New Zealand’s title defence is on shaky ground after tying home series against South Africa and Bangladesh.