Piers Morgan backs “brilliant” Brendon McCullum to “fix” England’s Test woes

Brendon McCullum has been named England Test coach, with the New Zealand legend keen to “move the team forward into a more successful era”

TV personality and cricket fan Piers Morgan has hailed the “brilliant” appointment of Brendon McCullum as England Test coach.

The New Zealand legend has been unveiled as the new Test coach and tasked with turning around a side that has won just one of their last 17 matches. McCullum has said he is “acutely aware of the significant challenges the team faces”, but is confident he can “help the team emerge as a stronger force”.

He said: “I’d like to say how pleased I am to be given this opportunity to positively contribute to England’s Test cricket set-up and move the team forward into a more successful era.

“In taking this role on, I am acutely aware of the significant challenges the team faces at present, and I strongly believe in my ability to help the team emerge as a stronger force once we’ve confronted them head-on. I’ve enjoyed several robust conversations with Rob Key about the direction of travel for the team and have found his enthusiasm contagious.

“I’m no stranger to bringing about change within a team environment, and I can’t wait to get started. Ben Stokes is the perfect character to inspire change around him, and I look forward to working closely with him to build a successful unit around us.”

And Morgan believes McCullum is the perfect candidate to “fix” England’s struggling Test side. Reacting to the news on Twitter, he wrote: “BOOM! Brilliant appointment. Congrats @Bazmccullum – you’re exactly what we need to fix the Test team.”

McCullum was the “number one choice” for the job and will take charge of England for the first time when they face New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2. Key, who is England’s new Managing Director of Men’s Cricket, has told fans to “buckle up and get ready for the ride”.

“We were incredibly fortunate to have a seriously strong list of quality candidates for the post, with Brendon demonstrating he was our number one choice,” Key said. “I’d like to thank Tom Harrison and the ECB Board for their support in this process.

“I believe in Brendon and Ben Stokes – a formidable coach and captain partnership. Time for us all to buckle up and get ready for the ride.”