Steve Harmison and Brendon McCullum (Photo Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison has vocally opined that head coach Brendon McCullum must also leave his role after skipper Ben Stokes’ shock retirement announcement during the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
The England and Wales Cricket Board announced Stokes’ retirement during the final moments of the second session on Day 4. Moments after the announcement, the enigmatic all-rounder picked up a wicket with the first ball of the 11th over of a marathon spell. Chasing 373, he walked out to open the batting and took on the Kiwi bowlers in a quickfire 20-ball 30.
Stokes and McCullum have formed a notable partnership, and while their degree of success is debated widely, the pair has revolutionised the team with their attacking mindset and positive approach. Harmison, a vocal critic of ‘Bazball’, the moniker given to England’s approach to Test cricket under the former New Zealand skipper, has opined that with Stokes set to call time on his career, McCullum must subsequently follow on his way out.
“McCullum’s got to go with him. That’s it. If we’re gonna, if we’re gonna, if we’re gonna go through that conversation, McCullum’s got to go with him. I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Brendan McCullum as a person, but this Bazball stuff is, that’s not test cricket. That’s amateur hour,” Harmisson said, speaking on talkSPORT Cricket’s live match coverage.
Joe Root, who is England’s highest run-scorer in the longest format, was made to take the reins of the side in Stokes’ absence in the second Test at the Oval after the former missed the game over his involvement in an incident at a nightclub. The former fast bowler has questioned McCullum’s influence on the team and expressed criticism towards the direction the management was headed.
“I’d love to know what Joe Root’s thinking of this [when] walking out to bat. I’d really love to know what Joe Root’s thinking about this whole last two-week period. But I think with Ben Stokes going now, Brendan McCullum’s influence on this team now, I’m not convinced it’s great for English cricket, especially in the Test match arena with an Ashes series less than 12 months away,” he added.
England, under Brendon McCullum, has played over 40 Test matches. Despite the early dominant start, they have seen results taper away, with 2-2 draws against India and Australia at home, and 4-1 losses against the same teams away.
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