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Brendon McCullum on the verge of becoming England’s Test head coach

Brendon McCullum of Middlesex looks on

Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has replaced Gary Kirsten as favourite to become the new head coach of England’s Test team.

The 40-year-old is understood to have held recent talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The Kiwi legend could be appointed by Thursday, according to reports.

McCullum played 101 Test matches during his playing career for New Zealand and is currently in charge of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

The former captain played across all formats of the game and was renowned for his fast scoring. Back in 2016, he famously set the record for the quickest test century of all time (54 balls) and is considered by many as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of New Zealand cricket.

McCullum's playing days came to an end in August 2019. Since then, the former international has kick-started his coaching career and featured in the media as a commentator and pundit.

The ECB have stepped up their search for a new head coach in recent weeks as they look to replace Chris Silverwood who departed after the recent Ashes series defeat.

While South African Gary Kirsten had been the early favourite, it's now McCullum who appears to be leading the race to become England's new head coach.
If all goes smoothly then it could be confirmed by Thursday but there are a few logistics to sort, including his current role as coach of Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders

With a three-match Test series coming up against New Zealand in less than a month's time, the ECB have been under pressure to fill the coaching role.

England are in the midst of a torrid run of results, losing 11 and winning just one of their last 17 games.

Most striking of all was the team's 4-0 capitulation in the recent Ashes series. 

Paul Collingwood took over coaching duties for the most recent three-match Test series against the West Indies.
However, a shock 1-0 defeat not only extended England's poor run of results, but also forced captain Joe Root to step down from his position.
Ben Stokes has since been appointed as the new captain, with the player hoping to return the team to winning ways - starting with the Test series against New Zealand, which gets underway on June 2 at Lords.

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