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"Brand Over Team": Ex-Coach Andy Moles Slams 'Egoistic' McCullum In Explosive Claim



Andy Moles puts big allegation on Brendon McCullum [Source: @NightwatchmanXI/X.com, AFP]Andy Moles puts big allegation on Brendon McCullum [Source: @NightwatchmanXI/X.com, AFP]

Former New Zealand head coach Andy Moles has made shocking claims about Brendon McCullum in his upcoming autobiography. Moles, who coached the Black Caps for just under a year between 2008 and 2009, accused McCullum of prioritising his ‘brand of cricket’ over the team’s needs.

McCullum is viewed as a respectable figure in New Zealand cricket. However, recent claims by Any Moles have stirred up a controversy, tainting his image in New Zealand’s esteemed history.

Andy Moles Calls Out Brendon McCullum’s ‘Ego’

In his book “Around the World in 40 Years,” ex-New Zealand coach Andy Moles claimed that some senior players, especially then vice-captain Brendon McCullum, created a toxic atmosphere. 

“They made me question why on earth I was involved with cricket. They’d taken the love of the game away from me, those egotistical buggers," Moles said as quoted by New Zealand Herald. 

One of the main issues Moles pointed out was McCullum’s attitude toward team strategy. He recalled an incident during the 2009 Champions Trophy final against Australia. McCullum, who was leading the side in Daniel Vettori’s absence, chose to bat first despite warnings about the dew making it easier to chase. New Zealand lost badly, and McCullum was dismissed for a 14-ball duck.

“If Daniel had played, and we’d fielded first, we’d have had a great chance as the Centurion pitch turned. The Aussie spinner Nathan Hauritz took 3 for 37 from his 10 overs, including two-order wickets. So, I left there very disappointed, but consoling myself we’d got to a final. It wasn’t very often New Zealand got to finals at that stage," he added.

Moles Claims McCullum Didn’t Have Team’s Interest At Heart

Further in his book, Andy Moles also revealed a fiery exchange with Brendon McCullum during a T20 series against between New Zealand and West Indies.

He apparently had asked McCullum to bat cautiously for a few overs to help younger players settle. But McCullum reportedly denied, saying his brand is more important than the team’s needs. He added:

“We’d got an inexperienced batting lineup and only made 155 at Auckland, and I was keen for him to try and bat longer to lay the basis for a bigger total in Hamilton. So, I said to him when we went out at Seddon Park to have a look at the wicket, ‘Baz, can you give me seven or eight overs of you just batting so that we can get these young kids into the game and settle the team? Pull back on the reins, get into the game and then go'".


“He replied, ‘No, Moler, I’m busy building brand McCullum’. “’Pardon? The team needs you,’ I pleaded. No, no, sorry about what the team needs. I’m building a brand, and it’s called Brand McCullum. This is how I play’'

McCullum is now the head coach of England’s Test team, credited with reviving their style of play. But these revelations from his former coach paint a very different picture of his early leadership and priorities.