Harry Brook called on the England & Wales Cricket Board to back Brendon McCullum as all-format coach after England brought their winter to a close with defeat to India in a wild T20 World Cup semi-final that became, by a margin of 45 runs, the highest-scoring game in the competition’s history.
Though his position has been the subject of speculation since England’s sorry performance in the Ashes McCullum said after his side’s seven-run loss in Mumbai he would “love to carry on”, and Brook that the New Zealander remained “125%” the right man for the job.
“Our partnership has been good throughout the competition and since I’ve taken over,” said Brook, who was named England’s white-ball captain last April. “We get on very well and the communication has been outstanding. Long may it continue.
“I’ve said plenty of times he’s the best coach I’ve ever had. The way he speaks to everybody, he’s got an aura in the dressing room. Everybody looks up to him, the things he did in the game as a player were unbelievable and he’s just carried that into his coaching. The things he’s done over the four years since he took over has changed English cricket for the best. He’s the best head coach I’ve ever had.”
If there is no doubt that England underperformed in Australia, McCullum said the accusation could not be made of the white-ball side after their run to the World Cup’s last four ended with defeat in Mumbai. “In the end we came within seven runs of beating a very good India team in their conditions, in arguably the most hostile stadium in the world,” he said. “It’s a fine achievement. It’s obviously disappointing we’re not getting a crack at a World Cup final, but there’s a lot to be proud of.
“I’m enjoying the role, I’m enjoying it across all formats and I’d love to carry that on. I feel like we’ve made some significant improvements across the various formats. Yes, we’ve missed some opportunities, but I think this team has a real opportunity over the coming years to improve and hopefully finish what we’ve started. I’d love to be a part of that.”
Brook praised Jacob Bethell, who scored a superb century as England fell agonisingly close to overhauling India’s massive total of 253, as “a phenomenal player” who is “going to have a hell of a career”. But he admitted England had been incapable of overcoming the depth of India’s batting resources, or their in-built advantage as hosts.
“I’m extremely proud of the way the boys stuck to their guns. They’ve done everything me and Baz have asked of them,” he said. “We should be extremely proud of the way we almost chased down 250 on their home turf, with them knowing all the best plans throughout the competition. They just have batsmen coming out of everywhere. They’re extremely good players, clean ball strikers. If you miss you’re going for six or four. Unfortunately we didn’t execute as well as we could have done tonight and that’s cost us.”
