In the right format: A final hurrah for Baz’s England?

For nearly four years now, the English cricket team's image has been characterised by an individual sitting in the front seat of the dressing room balcony; his feet up, cross-legged, his grin face and dark glasses masking his true emotions.

- Rasesh Mandani

England's coach Brendan McCullum during a training session.

(AFP)

No matter the state of the game, his demeanor remains unchanged. It's not often that a head coach’s persona is overarching, certainly not in cricket. But with Brendon McCullum and England, you get that impression.

McCullum, of course, until a year and a half back, was just coaching the Test team. And there too, he had a strong on-field leader in Ben Stokes. But the entire idea of playing Test cricket without fearing defeat became such a strong sell that England's white-ball setup, which had won a T20 World Cup in 2022 around the time McCullum entered the scene, got lost in the margins, along with their priorities.

Ultimately, it was inevitable that McCullum took charge of the white-ball teams too. So far, in red ball, pink ball, or white ball cricket, England hasn't won anything of substance under the free-spirited Kiwi. By the end of this week, it could change. England, at least, have given themselves a chance.