A summer that began with Brendon McCullum flying halfway around the world to call time on Jimmy Anderson’s remarkable England career ends with the head coach more powerful than ever. And it may just be that Josh Hull, due to make his Test debut against Sri Lanka at the Oval on Thursday , embodies the maverick streak that has led to the New Zealander being handed the keys to all three England men’s teams.
On the face of it, Hull, 10 first-class games and a bowling average of 62, should be nowhere near ready, even in a series wrapped up at 2-0 with one to play. But as with horses, his other passion, McCullum is now picking on attributes over form.
Hull is 20 years old, 6ft 7in tall and a left-armer with it. And like Jeetan Patel, England’s assistant coach who profited from the rough outside off stump created by Keith Barker at Warwickshire, Shoaib Bashir, as an off-spinner, should benefit also.
