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Brendon McCullum discusses the need to make Test cricket enjoyable amidst T20 overdose

image-ldxczrizMcCullum and Stokes celebrate series win in Pak (Source: Twitter)

Brendon McCullum’s era as England’s Test coach began last year, alongside Ben Stokes’ appointment as full-time skipper of the national side. Their phase launched with a three-Test challenge against New Zealand at home, with another set of three matches in Pakistan in late 2022 marking their latest assignment.

So far, Stokes and co. have won nine of their 10 Test matches during McCullum’s regime. Their colossal uprising in the format is largely credited to the freedom given to everyone by their new coach. The former New Zealand captain was himself an aggressive cricketer, as evidenced by his rapid scoring abilities across all formats.

Ahead of England’s upcoming series in New Zealand, coach McCullum has discussed the importance of making Test cricket more enjoyable for the younger audience.

Brendon McCullum says players should enjoy Tests

While speaking on the second day of England’s warm-up fixture in New Zealand, McCullum said that there is a need to make Test cricket enjoyable. In an age where T20 leagues are on the rise, the former cricketer believes that the oldest format of the game would thrive if they players are having a good time.

“There are so many options these days that Test cricket you've got to make enjoyable, not just on the field but off the field too. Try and get those guys to know when they board the plane to head overseas, or jump into the car to head down to Lord's, or whatever it is to join up with the team, they know they're going to have a great time. The results will hopefully follow,”

He added that if a player who has prioritised enjoying the game will also lead to his improvement.

“It's not until the back-end of your career you go 'aw, I can actually have a good time now'. That's when you really enjoy it and somehow you end up becoming better as well. So that's the theory, we'll see how it works out, but it's worth a crack.”