England consider options after McCullum loses Test coach role

LONDON: England are weighing their options for a new Test coach after the England and Wales Cricket Board removed Brendon McCullum from the red-ball post, while retaining him as coach of the limited-overs side.

McCullum’s departure from the Test role followed a sequence of seven defeats in nine matches, including a 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia. He had remained in charge after that series, but a 2-1 home loss to New Zealand was described as the point at which ECB leadership decided to make a change.

ECB chief executive Richard Gould said on Sunday at Lord’s that the board was not restricting the search to English candidates. He also indicated that the next appointment could potentially be combined with work in franchise cricket, including in the Indian Premier League.

Flower among names in the frame

The development has reopened discussion around a possible return for Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwe cricketer who led England from 2009 to 2014. During that period, England won three Ashes series, including their most recent away success, and also rose to the top of the Test rankings.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has urged the ECB to make every effort to bring Flower back, describing him as meticulous. One possible complication is that Flower is currently head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL.

Gould said, however, that the ECB had not yet held talks with Flower or with any other prospective successor to McCullum.

Speaking about the possibility of a shared or flexible arrangement, Gould said the board would have to adapt to changes in the sport’s landscape.

"I think you'll find that we need to be progressive in these issues," said Gould. "Where we have players trying to balance between county, franchise and international cricket, we may have to do the same with our coaching staff and support staff, but that is something we’ll have to have a look at."

Pakistan series could require interim solution

England are due to host Pakistan in a three-Test series, and Gould said an interim appointment might be required if the preferred candidate is not immediately available. His stated preference is to have a permanent coach in place for the opening Test at Headingley on August 19, though he acknowledged scheduling clashes with franchise competitions and international commitments.

"Ideally, we'll have someone in place for the Pakistan Test, but that also clashes with other franchise tournaments and international fixtures around the world," said Gould. "Therefore if we need to take a little bit longer to get the person we want, we'll take that time."

McCullum’s removal from the Test role comes after former captain Ben Stokes retired from international red-ball cricket. Despite criticism in some quarters, England managing director Rob Key remains in his position.

Former captain Michael Vaughan has been among those to criticise Key over England’s decline in Test results and the handling of several disciplinary issues off the field. Those matters contributed to new alcohol-related guidelines being circulated to England players this week.

Gould nevertheless gave firm backing to Key and defended his work in one of the most demanding positions in English sport.

"He has got a really good brain," he said. "He is a good communicator, he has got extraordinary knowledge of what goes on within our game in England and he has spent the last four years in one of the most difficult jobs in English sport.

"None of us are immune to results, whether it is coach, captain, director of cricket or chief executive. The key is whatever changes we make, they are the ones most likely to bring the most rapid resolution to results we want."