1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zed B. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:17,227 Speaker 2: For a less than ideal Ash's tour of Australia, conjecture 4 00:00:17,307 --> 00:00:20,747 Speaker 2: continues to swirl about the future of Brendan McCullum as 5 00:00:20,827 --> 00:00:29,107 Speaker 2: England cricket coach. A win for Australia, a remarkable win, a. 6 00:00:29,187 --> 00:00:31,547 Speaker 1: Memorable ring, perhaps. 7 00:00:31,187 --> 00:00:36,027 Speaker 2: A famous win, and the back of Mitchell Stark stting 8 00:00:36,027 --> 00:00:39,427 Speaker 2: it up with ten wickets and a master class. A 9 00:00:39,547 --> 00:00:42,387 Speaker 2: counter attack from tavis Head is struck like a lightning bolt. 10 00:00:43,307 --> 00:00:44,707 Speaker 3: Australia draw first light. 11 00:00:44,787 --> 00:00:47,227 Speaker 2: They go one Miller, Yeah, and for one, of course, 12 00:00:47,267 --> 00:00:50,347 Speaker 2: the final scorer in the five match Ashes series. Couple 13 00:00:50,347 --> 00:00:53,147 Speaker 2: of those Test matches finishing well inside the allotted time. 14 00:00:53,627 --> 00:00:57,027 Speaker 2: Brenda mcullum for New Zealand Skipper, of course, is contracted 15 00:00:57,107 --> 00:01:00,187 Speaker 2: until the end of the twenty twenty seven fifty over 16 00:01:00,227 --> 00:01:04,267 Speaker 2: World Cup, but recent results have thrown his future into doubt. 17 00:01:04,307 --> 00:01:08,307 Speaker 2: So just how much heat is on Brendan McCallum to 18 00:01:08,347 --> 00:01:11,547 Speaker 2: find out? Let's bring in Talk Sport Cricket editor and 19 00:01:11,707 --> 00:01:16,547 Speaker 2: presenter of the excellent Following On Cricket podcast, John Norman. John, 20 00:01:16,667 --> 00:01:18,907 Speaker 2: thanks for chatting to us about this. What the benefits 21 00:01:19,787 --> 00:01:21,787 Speaker 2: of a be a hind sight and some distance. What 22 00:01:21,907 --> 00:01:25,627 Speaker 2: is the overall feeling among the England cricketing public after 23 00:01:25,667 --> 00:01:27,787 Speaker 2: the recent eshes in Australia. 24 00:01:29,267 --> 00:01:32,347 Speaker 4: Well, it's an interesting question and really still yet to 25 00:01:32,347 --> 00:01:38,027 Speaker 4: be definitively answered. I've never experienced or encountered, or you know, 26 00:01:38,827 --> 00:01:43,547 Speaker 4: essentially heard as much anger as what came out of 27 00:01:43,587 --> 00:01:48,027 Speaker 4: the traditional England cricket fan base is what occurred after 28 00:01:48,067 --> 00:01:53,347 Speaker 4: that two day Test defeat at per because most observers 29 00:01:53,787 --> 00:01:57,267 Speaker 4: saw that for what it was, it was an golden opportunity, 30 00:01:57,307 --> 00:01:59,907 Speaker 4: a once in a lifetime opportunity, certainly a once in 31 00:01:59,947 --> 00:02:04,827 Speaker 4: a career opportunity for England to win a live ashes 32 00:02:04,907 --> 00:02:09,587 Speaker 4: Test in Australia, put Australia on the back foot and essentially, 33 00:02:09,947 --> 00:02:13,587 Speaker 4: you know, be in control of the narrative of the 34 00:02:13,627 --> 00:02:18,187 Speaker 4: pressure and essentially be on the front foot in Australia. 35 00:02:19,107 --> 00:02:22,507 Speaker 4: The way that they essentially shot themselves in both feet 36 00:02:22,827 --> 00:02:24,307 Speaker 4: with bat and then with ball and in. 37 00:02:24,267 --> 00:02:27,827 Speaker 3: The field, you know, was sickening. To go from a position. 38 00:02:27,427 --> 00:02:32,147 Speaker 4: Where essentially they were heavy favorites after four sessions and 39 00:02:32,187 --> 00:02:34,987 Speaker 4: to have lost the Test match after six is almost 40 00:02:35,067 --> 00:02:35,547 Speaker 4: unheard of. 41 00:02:36,387 --> 00:02:38,667 Speaker 3: So that's where we were. 42 00:02:39,027 --> 00:02:42,387 Speaker 4: Did things get any better from that point onwards? No, 43 00:02:42,547 --> 00:02:46,107 Speaker 4: not really. You know, there's no disgrace of losing a 44 00:02:46,107 --> 00:02:50,307 Speaker 4: pink ball test that the GA against Australia and England 45 00:02:50,347 --> 00:02:53,907 Speaker 4: did exactly that, but then to go on and continually 46 00:02:53,907 --> 00:02:56,907 Speaker 4: make mistakes in all three facets of the game. 47 00:02:57,027 --> 00:02:59,187 Speaker 3: You could throw the fourth batset in captain seeing coaching 48 00:02:59,267 --> 00:03:00,307 Speaker 3: selection in there as well. 49 00:03:01,267 --> 00:03:05,587 Speaker 4: It's not quite unforgivable because England teams don't win in Australia. 50 00:03:06,387 --> 00:03:09,947 Speaker 4: But essentially they got it wrong. They got it wrong 51 00:03:09,987 --> 00:03:13,827 Speaker 4: on the field, which you can just about accept, but 52 00:03:13,867 --> 00:03:16,067 Speaker 4: they also got it wrong off the field, and that's 53 00:03:16,107 --> 00:03:19,667 Speaker 4: where it's slightly more difficult to accept the mistakes that 54 00:03:20,107 --> 00:03:24,387 Speaker 4: have been made. So Britta McCullum is looking like he 55 00:03:24,427 --> 00:03:27,267 Speaker 4: could well be the full guy. And if not for 56 00:03:27,307 --> 00:03:29,947 Speaker 4: the fact that he signed this deal which takes him 57 00:03:29,987 --> 00:03:33,147 Speaker 4: up to twenty twenty seven, as you say, which incorporated 58 00:03:33,187 --> 00:03:37,147 Speaker 4: both red ball and white ball and pink cricket, then maybe, 59 00:03:37,347 --> 00:03:41,307 Speaker 4: just maybe, especially when you throw in the close proximity 60 00:03:41,347 --> 00:03:42,787 Speaker 4: between the end of the Ashes and the start of 61 00:03:42,787 --> 00:03:45,187 Speaker 4: the T twenty World Cup, maybe he'd already be gone 62 00:03:45,187 --> 00:03:47,987 Speaker 4: by now, so there is a lot of pressure on 63 00:03:48,027 --> 00:03:51,307 Speaker 4: the coach, fairly or unfairly. That's where the sites have 64 00:03:51,387 --> 00:03:53,747 Speaker 4: been set alongside. 65 00:03:53,547 --> 00:03:56,067 Speaker 3: Rob Key of course, who hired. 66 00:03:55,827 --> 00:04:01,227 Speaker 4: Him, and the feeling is that unless England performed very 67 00:04:01,347 --> 00:04:04,547 Speaker 4: very well at the T twenty World Cup, then his 68 00:04:04,627 --> 00:04:07,587 Speaker 4: position will continue to be under scrutiny. 69 00:04:07,547 --> 00:04:09,387 Speaker 2: Well as white ball record since he was given that 70 00:04:09,547 --> 00:04:11,667 Speaker 2: job or all the jobs about a year ago isn't 71 00:04:11,667 --> 00:04:13,947 Speaker 2: great as an England crashed out of the fifty over 72 00:04:14,067 --> 00:04:17,067 Speaker 2: Champions Trophy without winning a game the TEA twenty World 73 00:04:17,107 --> 00:04:20,707 Speaker 2: Cup though T twenty is probably England's best format at 74 00:04:20,747 --> 00:04:23,547 Speaker 2: the moment. So I mean you've kind of outlined it. 75 00:04:23,627 --> 00:04:27,587 Speaker 2: How vital is a good showing in India next month 76 00:04:27,627 --> 00:04:28,947 Speaker 2: for Brendan McCallum's future. 77 00:04:30,627 --> 00:04:33,987 Speaker 4: I think it's very very important. England have actually been 78 00:04:34,427 --> 00:04:37,947 Speaker 4: given a huge helping hand today. By the way, news 79 00:04:37,947 --> 00:04:40,107 Speaker 4: that Bangladesh will not play in the T twenty World 80 00:04:40,147 --> 00:04:44,587 Speaker 4: Cup means that England should almost certainly qualify past the 81 00:04:44,587 --> 00:04:47,107 Speaker 4: group stages. They were in a position where you know, 82 00:04:47,147 --> 00:04:50,427 Speaker 4: if they'd lost to Bangladesh or the West Indies, their 83 00:04:50,427 --> 00:04:53,467 Speaker 4: net run rate could have come in to play and 84 00:04:53,507 --> 00:04:54,907 Speaker 4: you know, and it's a bit of a lossary from 85 00:04:54,947 --> 00:04:57,467 Speaker 4: there and then so they'll be breathing a sigh of 86 00:04:57,467 --> 00:05:01,507 Speaker 4: release there. They just have to perform well. You know, 87 00:05:01,867 --> 00:05:05,587 Speaker 4: they could win it ugly fine, then you suffice if 88 00:05:05,627 --> 00:05:08,107 Speaker 4: they play well, lose or fall at the final hurdle 89 00:05:08,227 --> 00:05:12,147 Speaker 4: to a much stronger Indian team, you know, or you know, 90 00:05:12,987 --> 00:05:16,587 Speaker 4: a strong and very confident Australian team even there, I 91 00:05:16,587 --> 00:05:19,867 Speaker 4: say at South Africa, who've got a fearsome side themselves. 92 00:05:19,867 --> 00:05:22,787 Speaker 4: If they were to do that, then, you know, then 93 00:05:22,827 --> 00:05:24,907 Speaker 4: may be the decision will be made to keep him 94 00:05:24,907 --> 00:05:28,707 Speaker 4: where he is. But if England were to struggle in 95 00:05:28,707 --> 00:05:31,987 Speaker 4: that series, it would just give more ammunition basically to 96 00:05:32,027 --> 00:05:34,787 Speaker 4: those who want to see change. 97 00:05:35,147 --> 00:05:36,867 Speaker 3: I don't think it's just about the results. 98 00:05:36,907 --> 00:05:41,227 Speaker 4: So I think it's about will Brendan McCollum accept change. 99 00:05:41,907 --> 00:05:44,947 Speaker 4: No one's expecting him to suddenly, you know, adopt a 100 00:05:45,027 --> 00:05:48,867 Speaker 4: school teacher kind of approach to coaching. And indeed there's 101 00:05:48,867 --> 00:05:51,787 Speaker 4: been some changes already with the announcement of a full 102 00:05:51,787 --> 00:05:54,987 Speaker 4: time bowling coach, Troy Cooley's coming back into the fold. 103 00:05:55,227 --> 00:05:57,707 Speaker 4: There's a fielding coacher out in Sri Lanka. So that's 104 00:05:57,707 --> 00:06:02,267 Speaker 4: two changes that have been enforced and accept it, you imagine, right, 105 00:06:03,267 --> 00:06:06,107 Speaker 4: But cam Brendon Colum McCullum really changed the way he 106 00:06:06,147 --> 00:06:09,547 Speaker 4: goes about coaching this England team. So there's success on 107 00:06:09,587 --> 00:06:14,467 Speaker 4: the field for sure, but there's also an understanding that 108 00:06:14,707 --> 00:06:17,627 Speaker 4: things do need to change above the eleven that taking 109 00:06:17,907 --> 00:06:20,147 Speaker 4: their place down the field, and it's just a question 110 00:06:20,267 --> 00:06:23,387 Speaker 4: of whether Brenda McCullum can mirror up and upturn in 111 00:06:23,427 --> 00:06:27,507 Speaker 4: fortunes on the field and also bring through maybe a 112 00:06:27,507 --> 00:06:33,787 Speaker 4: more professional way of running this team. But both of 113 00:06:33,827 --> 00:06:36,947 Speaker 4: the both of those things have got huge question marks 114 00:06:37,147 --> 00:06:40,267 Speaker 4: attached to them in regard to whether they will actually 115 00:06:40,547 --> 00:06:40,787 Speaker 4: or not. 116 00:06:41,387 --> 00:06:44,387 Speaker 2: And I guess that's the big question, right John. You know, 117 00:06:44,547 --> 00:06:48,387 Speaker 2: if he stays, how much pressure will come on him 118 00:06:48,587 --> 00:06:52,227 Speaker 2: or even when they make the decision to retain him 119 00:06:52,307 --> 00:06:55,027 Speaker 2: or not, how much will that be dependent on his 120 00:06:55,227 --> 00:06:58,467 Speaker 2: willingness to change that approach as you say, the cavalier 121 00:06:58,507 --> 00:07:02,187 Speaker 2: approach on the field to test cricket and the rather 122 00:07:02,307 --> 00:07:05,827 Speaker 2: relaxed approach often how much pressure will bringha McCullum come 123 00:07:05,907 --> 00:07:10,467 Speaker 2: under to effect change in those areas. 124 00:07:12,147 --> 00:07:12,307 Speaker 3: Well. 125 00:07:12,347 --> 00:07:15,827 Speaker 4: We can't have any more Harrybrook bouncer situations that came 126 00:07:15,867 --> 00:07:17,907 Speaker 4: out of New Zealand, right, I mean, that kind of 127 00:07:17,947 --> 00:07:23,067 Speaker 4: story can't happen anymore. Indeed, you know England gough to 128 00:07:23,107 --> 00:07:25,027 Speaker 4: South Africa at the end of the year. They play 129 00:07:25,067 --> 00:07:27,627 Speaker 4: hosts in New Zealand, as I'm sure you're aware, and Pakistan. 130 00:07:27,747 --> 00:07:28,707 Speaker 3: It's a lot of cricket to. 131 00:07:28,707 --> 00:07:30,867 Speaker 4: Be played and there's a lot of mistakes that could 132 00:07:30,907 --> 00:07:33,587 Speaker 4: be made right and they can't afford to slip up 133 00:07:33,827 --> 00:07:35,707 Speaker 4: because if there are any more slip ups like that, 134 00:07:36,067 --> 00:07:40,267 Speaker 4: it just points to a culture problem as much as 135 00:07:40,307 --> 00:07:43,987 Speaker 4: anything else. So there's so many variables in there, you know, 136 00:07:44,067 --> 00:07:47,747 Speaker 4: there's so many things that could essentially go wrong, from 137 00:07:47,947 --> 00:07:51,467 Speaker 4: Brenda McCollum's willingness to change to results, from the pitch 138 00:07:51,747 --> 00:07:55,427 Speaker 4: changing for the better and for the players all behaving themselves. 139 00:07:56,187 --> 00:07:57,907 Speaker 3: I'll throw one else in there as well. 140 00:07:58,547 --> 00:08:01,947 Speaker 4: The relationship between Ben Stokes and Brenda McCullum has been 141 00:08:01,987 --> 00:08:05,947 Speaker 4: absolutely water type and they joined forces and you could 142 00:08:05,947 --> 00:08:07,987 Speaker 4: throw key in there as well as a threesome. 143 00:08:08,507 --> 00:08:09,067 Speaker 3: If there are. 144 00:08:08,987 --> 00:08:13,747 Speaker 4: Any cracks between Stokes and McCullum, that will be a 145 00:08:13,827 --> 00:08:19,107 Speaker 4: huge problem because Stokes isn't going anywhere, okay, And if 146 00:08:19,147 --> 00:08:22,747 Speaker 4: Stokes suddenly feels like he can continue England without McCullum, 147 00:08:22,987 --> 00:08:26,187 Speaker 4: either unofficially or officially. Then that was spelled big problem 148 00:08:26,307 --> 00:08:30,427 Speaker 4: for McCullum because as things stand, the ECB may be 149 00:08:31,787 --> 00:08:35,027 Speaker 4: willing or keen to affect change at the top. But 150 00:08:35,067 --> 00:08:36,627 Speaker 4: if they're going to take their captain out at the 151 00:08:36,627 --> 00:08:39,947 Speaker 4: same point, if their relationship is still as it was, 152 00:08:40,347 --> 00:08:42,067 Speaker 4: they're not going to do anything. They're not going to 153 00:08:42,067 --> 00:08:45,507 Speaker 4: move that dial. So again it's about Stokes as well. 154 00:08:45,547 --> 00:08:49,427 Speaker 4: There's so many elements to all this it makes for 155 00:08:49,507 --> 00:08:53,347 Speaker 4: fascinating viewing. One thing I will say is though winning 156 00:08:53,387 --> 00:08:56,587 Speaker 4: covers up a myriad of problems and a myriad of issues. 157 00:08:56,907 --> 00:09:00,227 Speaker 3: England have just won. Okay, they've just been Sri Lanka. 158 00:09:00,387 --> 00:09:03,547 Speaker 4: Normally that wouldn't really matter too much, but it matters 159 00:09:03,587 --> 00:09:07,587 Speaker 4: a huge deal. Can they continue win If they win 160 00:09:07,627 --> 00:09:10,227 Speaker 4: this series, if they perform well in the T twenty 161 00:09:10,307 --> 00:09:12,227 Speaker 4: series next week and then go and make a good 162 00:09:12,667 --> 00:09:15,427 Speaker 4: fist of things in the T twenty World Cup, that 163 00:09:15,547 --> 00:09:18,907 Speaker 4: will reduce the pressure on Brendan McCullum. He can then 164 00:09:18,947 --> 00:09:21,947 Speaker 4: go away and heat stops and Key can work out 165 00:09:21,947 --> 00:09:24,147 Speaker 4: where it went wrong, work out how they fix it. 166 00:09:24,307 --> 00:09:26,667 Speaker 4: They come back and then they take on New Zealand 167 00:09:26,707 --> 00:09:28,707 Speaker 4: in June. If they get off to a good start 168 00:09:29,987 --> 00:09:33,987 Speaker 4: and beat New Zealand, then I think the feeling will 169 00:09:34,027 --> 00:09:36,827 Speaker 4: be at the ECB. Well, let's let this play out 170 00:09:36,867 --> 00:09:39,347 Speaker 4: till twenty twenty seven next year. It's only twelve months 171 00:09:39,347 --> 00:09:43,587 Speaker 4: away and then we'll make a change. And in fairness 172 00:09:43,587 --> 00:09:45,347 Speaker 4: to Brendan, it's getting a lot of stick. But let's 173 00:09:45,387 --> 00:09:48,347 Speaker 4: not forget inglib were fantastic for a good eighteen months 174 00:09:48,427 --> 00:09:51,267 Speaker 4: under he and Stokes. You know, they changed everything about 175 00:09:51,267 --> 00:09:53,467 Speaker 4: the cricket that was being played, the results. 176 00:09:53,587 --> 00:09:54,027 Speaker 3: There was an. 177 00:09:53,947 --> 00:09:56,107 Speaker 4: Uptick in fortunes and they brought a lot of new 178 00:09:56,187 --> 00:09:58,947 Speaker 4: fans to test cricket. That's what it's all about. So 179 00:09:59,547 --> 00:10:02,227 Speaker 4: you know, we can't have revisionist history here. They've done 180 00:10:02,227 --> 00:10:05,387 Speaker 4: a lot of good things. It's gone bad, but you 181 00:10:05,507 --> 00:10:07,867 Speaker 4: got the feeling that if he wants to, and he's 182 00:10:07,907 --> 00:10:11,307 Speaker 4: willing to, he should be able to affect the change 183 00:10:11,507 --> 00:10:13,507 Speaker 4: and try and right the wrongs of the last twelve 184 00:10:13,507 --> 00:10:14,547 Speaker 4: months to eighteen months. 185 00:10:15,147 --> 00:10:19,467 Speaker 2: Brilliant summary of a very intriguing little chapter an English cricket. 186 00:10:19,547 --> 00:10:21,667 Speaker 2: John always great to chap mate. Thanks for joining us 187 00:10:21,667 --> 00:10:23,387 Speaker 2: across New Zealand really appreciate it. 188 00:10:24,267 --> 00:10:25,467 Speaker 3: Oh, absolutely, Jason. 189 00:10:25,467 --> 00:10:27,547 Speaker 4: It's always great to chat to you and listen to 190 00:10:27,547 --> 00:10:29,907 Speaker 4: you as well because we do get the A League 191 00:10:29,947 --> 00:10:32,147 Speaker 4: over here, so I'm always interested to hear a commentary 192 00:10:32,147 --> 00:10:35,787 Speaker 4: of Wellington and Auckland and also just to send my 193 00:10:36,507 --> 00:10:39,307 Speaker 4: best wishes to everyone affected by the horrendous scenes that 194 00:10:39,347 --> 00:10:41,907 Speaker 4: we saw from Mount Monganui in the last seven days. 195 00:10:41,907 --> 00:10:44,387 Speaker 4: It's a place that I've been on regular occasion thanks 196 00:10:44,427 --> 00:10:47,387 Speaker 4: to the cricket and my New Zealand family. We were 197 00:10:47,427 --> 00:10:51,267 Speaker 4: there just thirteen months ago and walked around that track 198 00:10:51,307 --> 00:10:54,027 Speaker 4: as well, so yeah, it's just heartbreaking to see what's 199 00:10:54,067 --> 00:10:56,507 Speaker 4: been going on. So thoughts with any of your listeners 200 00:10:56,507 --> 00:10:57,107 Speaker 4: that are affected. 201 00:10:57,347 --> 00:11:00,547 Speaker 2: Yeah, good man, John, great to hear you on the radio. 202 00:11:00,627 --> 00:11:03,027 Speaker 2: Was always MTE be safe. It's John Norman out of 203 00:11:03,067 --> 00:11:06,027 Speaker 2: talkSPORT in the UK, always with his finger on the 204 00:11:06,027 --> 00:11:09,667 Speaker 2: pulse of cricketing matters and in fact all English sporting matters. 205 00:11:09,947 --> 00:11:11,387 Speaker 2: So you might not have caught up with that news. 206 00:11:11,427 --> 00:11:13,587 Speaker 2: I'm sure you have it. Bangladesh won't play in the 207 00:11:13,587 --> 00:11:16,027 Speaker 2: T twenty Cricket World Cup. They didn't want to go 208 00:11:16,107 --> 00:11:18,947 Speaker 2: to India to play their matches for obviously political reasons. 209 00:11:19,467 --> 00:11:24,307 Speaker 2: So they're out. They have been replaced by Scotland in 210 00:11:24,427 --> 00:11:28,667 Speaker 2: the T twenty Cricket World Cup. So England, as John mentioned, now, 211 00:11:28,667 --> 00:11:32,307 Speaker 2: the beneficiaries of that are the way the format of 212 00:11:32,307 --> 00:11:35,947 Speaker 2: the tournament works is there are four groups of five. 213 00:11:36,347 --> 00:11:40,307 Speaker 2: You play everybody in your group, and then the top 214 00:11:40,347 --> 00:11:42,547 Speaker 2: two in each group go through to the super eights 215 00:11:42,867 --> 00:11:44,707 Speaker 2: and then there's a bit of a mix and match 216 00:11:44,747 --> 00:11:46,147 Speaker 2: and you play the teams you haven't played all that 217 00:11:46,147 --> 00:11:48,267 Speaker 2: sort of thing. Anyway, you're getting out of your group's 218 00:11:48,307 --> 00:11:50,107 Speaker 2: the first thing. So you got to finish in the 219 00:11:50,107 --> 00:11:52,987 Speaker 2: top two. While Bangladesh was there, they would have been 220 00:11:53,307 --> 00:11:56,147 Speaker 2: the stiffest opposition for England along with the West Indies 221 00:11:56,147 --> 00:11:58,947 Speaker 2: in their group, which is Group C. Now in Group CE, 222 00:11:59,027 --> 00:12:05,667 Speaker 2: England have to play the West Indies, Nepal, Scotland and Italy. Look, 223 00:12:05,667 --> 00:12:07,827 Speaker 2: if they can't get out of that group, they don't 224 00:12:07,907 --> 00:12:10,867 Speaker 2: deserve to. Or maybe Brindan mccallums should go if they 225 00:12:10,867 --> 00:12:15,387 Speaker 2: can't get out of that group. Just on Brandon McCallum. 226 00:12:16,187 --> 00:12:18,827 Speaker 2: I don't know, I just maybe it's just because I 227 00:12:18,867 --> 00:12:21,907 Speaker 2: mean the English, you know, the English media alike, they 228 00:12:22,067 --> 00:12:24,747 Speaker 2: just seize upon anything, and yes there are mistakes made 229 00:12:24,787 --> 00:12:27,827 Speaker 2: on that Ashes tour, on and off the field, but 230 00:12:27,867 --> 00:12:32,827 Speaker 2: Brendan McCallum has been unashamedly unapologetic about the fact that 231 00:12:32,827 --> 00:12:35,027 Speaker 2: this is the way we're going to play the test game. Yes, 232 00:12:35,267 --> 00:12:37,067 Speaker 2: we might need to tweak it on occasion. I think 233 00:12:37,067 --> 00:12:42,347 Speaker 2: that's probably pragmatic. But look, I think Rob Bolt's coming 234 00:12:42,387 --> 00:12:44,427 Speaker 2: and done a really, really good job for New Zealand. 235 00:12:44,507 --> 00:12:49,227 Speaker 2: But when Gary Stead's resignation became apparent, there was a 236 00:12:49,427 --> 00:12:53,187 Speaker 2: huge amount of not necessarily clamor, but a lot of 237 00:12:53,187 --> 00:12:55,187 Speaker 2: people would have taken Brendan McCullum as the new black 238 00:12:55,187 --> 00:12:57,387 Speaker 2: Caps coach. And who knows, in the future that might 239 00:12:57,387 --> 00:13:01,307 Speaker 2: be something that he does. If we end up splitting 240 00:13:01,347 --> 00:13:04,747 Speaker 2: our coaching responsibilities, maybe he could do the white ball stuff. 241 00:13:04,747 --> 00:13:07,267 Speaker 2: I don't know, but I still think McCullum would be 242 00:13:08,187 --> 00:13:12,067 Speaker 2: would be a really good black Caps coach. I think, 243 00:13:12,307 --> 00:13:15,747 Speaker 2: you know, he just yes, this hasn't gone right for him, 244 00:13:15,787 --> 00:13:20,467 Speaker 2: and I think the fact that he's probably very laid back, 245 00:13:20,587 --> 00:13:22,627 Speaker 2: it looks as though he doesn't really cared him too 246 00:13:22,707 --> 00:13:26,707 Speaker 2: much about it. But the way that he revolutionized the 247 00:13:26,787 --> 00:13:29,907 Speaker 2: test game with England and brought Test cricket, not just 248 00:13:29,947 --> 00:13:34,747 Speaker 2: the England team, but Test cricket into the spotlight again 249 00:13:34,787 --> 00:13:37,027 Speaker 2: when it was in a bit of a bit of 250 00:13:37,027 --> 00:13:40,667 Speaker 2: a state of the doldrums. If we're honest, he reinvigorated 251 00:13:40,707 --> 00:13:44,027 Speaker 2: Test cricket through his England side. It was always going 252 00:13:44,107 --> 00:13:46,267 Speaker 2: to you know, always going to come a cropper at 253 00:13:46,267 --> 00:13:48,227 Speaker 2: some stage. It was just such a shame that it 254 00:13:48,267 --> 00:13:52,147 Speaker 2: was in the high profile firestorm of the Ashes in Australia. 255 00:13:52,987 --> 00:13:57,107 Speaker 2: But if Brenda McCallum becomes available to coach New Zealand 256 00:13:57,187 --> 00:13:59,907 Speaker 2: in some way, shape or form in the future, and 257 00:13:59,987 --> 00:14:02,307 Speaker 2: I for one would welcome that, absolutely welcome it. 258 00:14:02,787 --> 00:14:05,947 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 259 00:14:06,067 --> 00:14:09,347 Speaker 1: to Talk z it B weekends from midday, or follow 260 00:14:09,387 --> 00:14:10,987 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio