In a significant development for English cricket, Brendon McCullum has been appointed as the head coach for all three formats of the game, expanding his role from Test coach to include the white-ball teams. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that McCullum will take charge of both Test and limited-overs teams from January 2025, coinciding with England’s limited-overs tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy.McCullum, known for introducing the aggressive ‘Bazball’ style to Test cricket, has extended his contract until 2027. Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, expressed his delight at McCullum’s appointment, stating, ‘I believe we are incredibly fortunate that a coach of his quality is prepared to commit wholeheartedly to English cricket’.Meanwhile, Bangladesh is celebrating a historic 2-0 Test series win against Pakistan. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, praised the team’s performance, describing it as ‘extraordinary’ and a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s Test cricket history. This victory has put pressure on Pakistan’s cricket team, with captain Shan Masood accepting responsibility for the disappointing loss.In other cricket news, India is preparing for their upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce the squad next month, with wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant potentially making a comeback to the Indian Test team after a long absence due to a car accident. Pant’s return is considered crucial for the team, especially with the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.These developments highlight the dynamic nature of international cricket, with teams experiencing both triumphs and challenges as they prepare for future competitions.
Key points
- Brendon McCullum appointed as England’s coach for all three cricket formats, starting January 2025.
- Bangladesh secures historic 2-0 Test series win against Pakistan.
- Rishabh Pant likely to make a comeback to the Indian Test team for the series against Bangladesh.
