Brendon McCullum has hailed Ben Stokes for exceeding his expectations as a Test captain and giving his players ‘satisfaction.’
Stokes and McCullum have made a potent, positive partnership in just four weeks together at the helm of the Test side and have been rewarded with an instant 3-0 series win over New Zealand.
But McCullum has insisted that it is Stokes’ ultra-aggressive attitude to the game that has driven the change in the way England have played. And it is because of this approach, McCullum reckons he will take it too far, which will be a good thing as the team try and work out where their limits are.
“I thought Ben would be good as captain, I did,” said McCullum. “I think the timing of him getting the captaincy is perfect.
“I know it’s early days, but he’s exceeded my expectations already to be honest. I’m aggressive but he’s got me covered, which is saying something.
“He’s been superb, his messaging has been very consistent and very articulate as well. He doesn’t speak all the time but when he does speak, it’s bang on.
“The skipper has taken them on a journey, I've tried to fill in the gaps where needed and they've got instant gratification for that change. It doesn't always happen. But that's why those guys are so keen on this style.
“It gives this team the most amount of satisfaction and for some of the individuals within the group it’s how their talent comes out quickest and best. And it’s fun anyway.
“Alarm bells will have gone off around the world about the way we are playing and I hope we take it too far because then we’ll know exactly where that line is. Until you do that, you’re not really sure.”
The McCullum and Stokes method is already looking remarkably similar to the one taken by Eoin Morgan during his white-ball revolution and there maybe some more crossover to come. Players such as Jos Buttler and Sam Curran have been put on red alert that their Test careers are far from over with this new style clearly one that could suit them.
“I just look at the players we’ve got and I think they fit the bill for what we’re trying to achieve and the style we want to play as a team,” added McCullum. There are certainly some guys who are already part of the white-ball setup who have had opportunities in the Test side before and find themselves on the outside now.
“With application and opportunity they could also find themselves, in time, back in this line-up.”
And McCullum paid his own personal tribute to Morgan who is walking away from international cricket after seven and a half years as white-ball skipper.
“Morgs is one of my best mates,” he said. “But time stands still for no man. The impact he has had on English cricket and world cricket has obviously been significant.
“The players he has bought through, some of the game’s most exciting players, superstars of the modern game. They might have got there anyway, but I think he got them there quicker because of the approach he took. He’s a tremendous leader.”
