'Got Call From ECB Before...': Ricky Ponting's Stunning Revelation

image-lj83e1a4Ponting's revelation on England job [Twitter]

Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has changed England's Test dynamics ever since taking over the role of coaching last year. McCullum along with skipper Ben Stokes, have moulded England into an ultra-aggressive and positive outfit, that is keen on going after results, and not waiting and sitting out for draws.  

However, this could have been completely impossible, if former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has accepted England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) offer to take up the coaching assignment before McCullum.

Speaking to Guerilla Cricket, Ponting revealed that ECB's director of men's cricket and former England opener Robert Key had called the star-studded batter ahead of current coach McCullum, which the Australian humbly denied.

Here's what Ponting said

"I actually got asked before Brendon took the job – there you go, you guys might be the first to find that out – but I did take some calls from Robert Key as soon as he took over that job. But I'm just not ready for a full-time international coaching job where I'm at in my life. 

Having travelled as much as I have, with young kids now I just don't want to be away as much as I was. And even talking to Brendon, his family is only just arriving today. When you've got kids that are in school, moving them around, that's not what I want to do."

Ponting has been coaching the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise in the Indian Premier League since 2018 and was also associated with Australia's men's side as interim coach in 2017-18.

Under McCullum and Stokes, England have managed to win 11 out of their last 14 Test, including defeat at Edgbaston earlier this week, which handed Australia a 1-0 lead in 'The Ashes 2023'. 

The second Test begins June 28 at Lord's.