When New Zealand Cricket sacked Ross Taylor as captain and made room for the leadership axis of Brendon McCullum (captain) and Mike Hesson (Coach) they received much opprobrium, especially from Taylor supporters and legendary former captain Martin Crowe.
The decision, and the way it appeared to have been orchestrated, left a bad taste in the mouth for many. The Otago leadership pair had much to do if they were to win over their detractors and heal some deep open wounds. They had a clear vision for how they wanted their national team to play, and, over time, they got clearer on how they wanted to behave.
The identity created in and around the team initially was an inauthentic version of Australia – aggressive cricket and plenty of energy committed to undermining the opposition through sledging. But, after inconsistent performances, they shifted and became truer to who the kiwis were as people – humble, hard-working, tough but gentle, and ensured they positively impacted both the cricketing and the wider sporting landscape too with their focus on skill development and a quiet, determined, positive attitude collectively and individually. A greater sense of fun and a desire to achieve sustainable success became the ideology which drove McCullum and Hesson’s soon-to-be admired New Zealand teams.
McCullum is clearly a brilliant all rounder based on his outstanding deeds on the cricket field. He was formatively a test match wicket-keeper/batsman. On becoming a successful captain at Otago he turned to captaincy with New Zealand and in time has become a leadership icon in his own country. He now leads England as Head Coach with the same vim and vigour that once influenced his dominant batting style.
As a batsman, McCullum was an inspirational cricketer. He headlined the IPL with a remarkable score of 158 not out for Kolkatta Knight Riders in the first-ever IPL match.
For New Zealand, he had scored two blistering Test match double hundreds and a 195. More significantly, he had shown his versatility and adaptability with an epic innings full of self-denial to bat 559 balls and save a test versus India to seal a series win. A triple century ensured Martin Crowe’s 299 v Sri Lanka was toppled as New Zealand’s highest score, and a World Cup journey which ultimately ended in disappointment with a loss in the Final proved a triumph. The whole of New Zealand was behind their team in a country which is rugby-mad, and the rest of the cricketing world seemed to be supporters too – largely because of ‘the spirit of cricket’ they adhered to. McCullum had triumphed in a (bigger) game beyond the game of cricket he was playing.
He was creative too – and in this regard, he has been ahead of his time as a leader. England Cricket is now the beneficiary of his attacking vision for cricket and his desire to see the game played at the highest level as if the participants were playing in the local park, having fun with their mates. The injection of fun ‘at work’ and a focus on light-heartedness away from the cricket field has ensured the current England team is a place that players crave being part of. It is a stark contrast to the humiliating time the team suffered a year ago in Australia.
So, what does he actually do to achieve such a healthy transformation in teams?
My sense is that he offers a healthy perspective and gives people confidence by taking away the fear of negative consequences should things not go well.
And a testament to any leader’s impact is their ability to win over their detractors. After his transformation of New Zealand Cricket, legendary player turned media influencer Martin Crowe wrote –
“New Zealand experienced a ‘euphoric awakening’ under McCullum. He was a true leader, marching his men forward with exemplary and extraordinary example.”
Can McCullum’s England do better than McCullum’s New Zealand? Can England beat Australia when it matters most?
Confidence in top sport comes from having faith in your skills – not just from enjoying being part of a healthy team environment.
The big questions will be answered in the summer of 2023 and in the winter of 2024 when England tour India.
What Are The Big Questions?:
Can the top three become high-performers?
Will it be Zak Crawley who becomes ‘the poster-boy’ for Rob Key and Brendon McCullum’s backing of ‘high-promise’ in individuals with ‘the right character’ to be part of a winning team? Or, will his previous experience of regular early innings dismissals and regular low scores plus the occasional ‘monster score’, continue to populate his cricket career? I believe in his talent and the quality of his personality, and love the fact he is being ‘backed’. But, sooner rather than later, he will need to deliver on his promise by having an outstanding series against a top quality opposition. Maybe Australia in England will be it?
Will Ben Duckett emerge as a top quality opener after a promising tour where he did well on the ‘flatter’ batting pitches in Pakistan? Can Duckett cut, drive and pull with consistent high quality against the like sof Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood?
Can Joe Root re-discover his previous brilliance and the consistent top form that underpinned his latter period of captaincy?
Can Harry Brook become a top player after his initially promising displays as Jonny Bairstow’s replacement?
Can the fastest of bowlers stay fit?
Can England’s first choice spinner become a front-line matchwinner with the ball, and more specifically in all conditions like the world’s very best spinners have done historically?
Can Ben Stokes continue to pull his weight as an all-rounder?
Can the classy wicket-keeper Ben Foakes grow into a truly world-class all-rounder over time by scoring big runs against the best opposition, all around the world?
And, how long can James Anderson and Stuart Broad continue to deliver their wicket-taking excellence and defy their respective ages?
Can Chris Woakes re-emerge as a world-class swing/seam bowler in English conditions?
Can Will Jacks improve enough as a spin bowler to be of test match class, thus adding to his exciting gifts as a superb ball-striker in the middle order?
Can Toby Roland-Jones continue to re-emerge from his injury ruined past few seasons and build on his excellent form in 2022 for Middlesex? I hope so – and I think he could be a quality test match bowler for England versus Australia if others falter in New Zealand.
And, importantly, can Ollie Robinson stay fit? He is a top-class seam bowler who has been brilliant for England when he has played. Some of Australia’s best batsmen have tended to struggle against top quality swing and seam bowlers when Ashes series begin early (as will be the case this summer) and Robinson may be the man to draw them on to the front foot and induce the vital ‘nicks’ to the slip cordon eagerly awaiting opportunities to assert England’s dominance from the first test match onwards…
Winning in New Zealand Will Be Impressive:
However, the focus for England must be on winning in New Zealand. So few England teams have won series in New Zealand previously. The home team appear to be the epitome of resourcefulness. Their team ethic is strong. But, without Trent Boult and Craig Jamieson, their bowling may lack the all-important wicket-taking ‘edge’.
Can England play their best cricket? Will they win? I think it may be a similarly close-fought series as the brilliant one played out in England last summer.
One thing is for sure, England’s coach and captain will be making sure the team has fun and the rest of us “buckle up and enjoy the ride”.
Here’s to a brilliant 2023 ahead for the English game.