MCCULLUM AIMS FOR THE TOP

CRICKET: New coach on mission to rebuild England

- Gary FITZGERALD

BRENDON MCCULLUM has urged Ben Stokes and England to seize the First Test by the scruff of the neck and begin the long, hard climb back up the Test ladder.

The New Zealander wants the team he has adopted to light up Lord's with explosive, attacking cricket against the side he once graced with his ing brilliance but whose downfall he is now plotting.

He faces a tough challenge as head coach trying to rebuild the confidence and belief of a side that has managed just one win in 17 matches and slumped to the bottom of the World Test Championship table.

McCullum admits it will not all be gung-ho out on the field on Thursday, and that he will know when to "stick or twist" in matches. But his natural instinct is to attack and play positively in order to gain success.

And when asked if his thoughts and ideas are on a similar level to his new captain Stokes, he said: "Dangerously so!