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'He Wanted The Red-Ball Job As It Is A Blank Sheet For Innovation'- Kumar Sangakkara On Brendon McCullum

image-lkdzpui4England head coach Brendon McCullum [Image- Twitter]

Former Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara has heaped high praise on England's red-ball coach Brendon McCullum for "breathing new life into Test cricket" through his all-out aggressive approach.

McCullum took over as head coach of the English Test team when it was going through a horrific phase, and immediately transformed it into an all-out attacking unit, challenging the normal conventions of how the game is played.

The former Blackcaps captain's style was on full display in the ongoing Manchester Test as English batters-led by opener Zak Crawley pulverised the Australian attack to the tune of 550+ at a run-rate around 5.50.

Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket, Sangakkara praised McCullum and the entire English team for "turning Test cricket on its head". 

"Brendon McCullum came from a white-ball coaching background but wanted the red-ball job as it is a blank sheet for innovation," Sangakkara said on Sky Sports.

"It has been beholden to tradition that is inculcated into us but England have turned it on its head and said, ‘there is a different way to play this game’. That has made it completely palatable to a larger audience," he added.

Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne's century has brought Australia to water level on a rain-curtailed day. If they manage to escape with a draw, then they will retain the urn, but England keep the series wide open.