After Matthew Mott‘s resignation, former England captain Eoin Morgan has endorsed Brendon McCullum as the ideal candidate to take over as the new white-ball coach for the England cricket team. Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the home summer as England prepares for a multi-format white-ball series against Australia.
Eoin Morgan shortlists his candidates
Mott, who led England to victory in the 2022 T20 World Cup, has resigned. Trescothick, the former assistant coach, has been named the interim head coach. Morgan believes McCullum would be a great fit to lead the white-ball team, given his proven success and experience in the Test format. Additionally, Trescothick will oversee the team as they look ahead to the Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan in 2025.
Speaking on Sky Sports on Thursday as quoted by Wisden, Morgan called McCullum as one of the ‘Best coaches in the world’. He also named Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, and Stephen Fleming as his other potential candidates.
“In my eyes at the moment, you would go to Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Stephen Fleming…and Brendon McCullum,” Morgan said, while listing the potential candidates for the role.
Notably, Dravid recently guided Team India to 2024 T20 World Cup title, while Ponting found success with the Washington Freedom in the recently concluded 2024 Major League Cricket (MLC). Fleming has been a long time head coach of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL. Similarly, McCullum is the current England red-ball coach.
“I say that because I believe he is one of the best coaches in the world. You see what he did with the Test team. Yes, the big question will be how he makes it fit over the course of the 12 months. But again, from Rob Key’s point of view, he needs to make it attractive,” added Morgan.
Also READ: Nasser Hussain explains why Brendon McCullum shouldn’t be England’s white-ball coach
England’s triumph against West Indies
England recently won a home Test series against the West Indies, where the hosts whitewashed the visitors 3-0. Before turning their attention to white-ball cricket, England will play a three-Test series against Sri Lanka, with the opening match starting at Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday, August 21.