Saturday, 20 August 2022
Meet the JournalistsPremiumAucklandWellingtonCanterbury/South Island
CrimePoliticsHealthEducationEnvironment and ClimateNZ Herald FocusData journalismKāhu, Māori ContentPropertyWeather
Small BusinessOpinionPersonal FinanceEconomyBusiness TravelCapital Markets
Politics
Premium SportRugbyCricketRacingNetballBoxingLeagueFootballSuper RugbyAthleticsBasketballMotorsportTennisCyclingGolfAmerican SportsHockeyUFC
NZH Local FocusThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay of Plenty TimesHawke's Bay TodayRotorua Daily PostWhanganui ChronicleStratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu Courier
Covid-19
Te Rito
Te Rito
OneRoof PropertyCommercial Property
Open JusticeVideoPodcastsTechnologyWorldOpinion
SpyTVMoviesBooksMusicCultureSideswipeCompetitions
Fashion & BeautyFood & DrinkRoyalsRelationshipsWellbeingPets & AnimalsVivaCanvasEat WellCompetitionsRestaurants & Menus
New Zealand TravelAustralia TravelInternational Travel
Our Green FutureRuralOneRoof Property
Career AdviceCorporate News
Driven MotoringPhotos
SudokuCodecrackerCrosswordsWordsearchDaily quizzes
Classifieds
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Sport|Cricket

Jason Pine: How Brendon McCullum has turned losers into world-beaters

29 Jun, 2022 10:00 PM3 minutes to read
Brendon McCullum, right, stands with former captain Joe Root at a nets session at Lord's Cricket Ground. Photo / AP

Brendon McCullum, right, stands with former captain Joe Root at a nets session at Lord's Cricket Ground. Photo / AP

Jason Pine
By
Jason Pine

Jason Pine is host of Weekend Sport 12md-3pm Saturday & Sunday on Newstalk ZB

VIEW PROFILE

OPINION
It's perhaps too simplistic to say Brendon McCullum has single-handedly revived the fortunes of English test cricket, but it's hard to draw any other conclusion.

Three tests, three wins, and the transformation of a shambolic team with next to no confidence and a dreadful recent record into one which played with conviction, courage and a cavalier spirit which was far too much for New Zealand to deal with.

This is largely the same group of players that endured such a wretched time in the last two years, now playing like world-beaters. One swallow doesn't make a summer, but as entrances go, it's difficult to remember a similarly instantaneous impact.

If Jonny Bairstow had got out recklessly and early in any of his swashbuckling, match-changing knocks, or Joe Root had come to grief reverse-ramping Neil Wagner, you get the feeling McCullum would simply have shrugged his shoulders, smiled wryly, and congratulated them on having a crack.

In basic terms, that's clearly his mantra. Bairstow's first three innings of the series were one, 16 and eight. Those sorts of scores might have sent pre-Baz Jonny into his shell. Instead, he then hit 136, 162 and an unbeaten 71 with those 369 runs coming off 293 balls. This is test cricket, remember.

On the face of it, McCullum isn't a particularly analytical coach. Throughout this series, I never once saw him poring over a laptop, or even taking any notes. There he sat on the balcony, ball after ball, over after over, day after ever-more successful day, just watching it unfold through his ever-present sunglasses, England cap pulled down tight.

McCullum hasn't changed this team by crunching numbers or examining and refining techniques. He knew he had the raw materials and has basically just given the players permission to enjoy their cricket again.

I once heard him talk about T20 run-chases. Scoring 180 off 80 balls may seem like a very challenging task, but, he said, you only have to hit 20 of those balls for six and you're actually chasing 60 off 60. That's a very McCullum-esque approach, but the point is he feels targets are there to be overhauled, not politely, yet firmly declined as they so often are in test cricket.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

England chased down 296 at Headingley, 299 at Trent Bridge and 277 at Lord's. A year ago, they would have turned their noses up at chases of that magnitude. Now they're getting there with whole sessions to spare.

McCullum is a self-confessed test cricket enthusiast. At a time where the game is in a fight for its relevance, he wants it to not only survive, but thrive. He and his freshly invigorated England are certainly doing their bit.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Sport

Premium
Sport|Rugby

Opinion: The most intriguing aspect of Ian Foster's retention

20 Aug 06:00 AM
SportUpdated

Brett Finch downfall: Former NRL star faces jail as part of child abuse sting

20 Aug 05:02 AM
Sport

Usyk v Joshua II: All you need to know

20 Aug 04:05 AM
Sport|Cricket

Young star shines as Black Caps bounce back

20 Aug 04:00 AM
Premium
Sport|Sailing

A day in the life of a sailing superstar: Inside the busy world of Peter Burling

20 Aug 02:15 AM

Most Popular

Toupees and necklaces: Murderer's legal action costs taxpayers nearly $1 million
New Zealand|Crime

Toupees and necklaces: Murderer's legal action costs taxpayers nearly $1 million

20 Aug 05:00 AM
Fit and healthy Kiwis dying unexpectedly from mysterious adult condition
New Zealand

Fit and healthy Kiwis dying unexpectedly from mysterious adult condition

20 Aug 03:00 AM
Parliament protest: Aussie far-right conspiracy commentators to attend, claims influencer
New Zealand|Politics

Parliament protest: Aussie far-right conspiracy commentators to attend, claims influencer

20 Aug 01:30 AM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP