Brendon McCullum backs England to change perception of red-ball cricket

England have won just one of their past 17 Tests but McCullum believes he has the skills and the depth of talent in his squad to turn their red-ball fortunes around

England's new red-ball head coach Brendon McCullum has backed the Test side to revitalise the longer format of the game.

The New Zealander, who succeeds Chris Silverwood in the role, inherits an England side languishing at the foot of the World Test Championship table and with just one win in 17 Tests.

And with first-class cricket facing an uphill battle against shorter formats and franchises, McCullum believes restoring England's red-ball mojo is key to reviving Test cricket as a whole.

"I was able to play a fair amount of red-ball cricket and I was lucky enough to earn a living out of the white-ball game around the world," McCullum, who received 101 Test caps for New Zealand, told Sky Sports at his unveiling at Lord's. "For me, red-ball cricket has always been the pinnacle of the sport.

"If you look at where the game probably fits currently, it's on a slightly downward trend and for me, the nation that can really change that is England because of the tradition of Test cricket here and the fan following and support in this country.

"For us to be successful in Test cricket will hopefully go a long way towards shifting a little bit the perception of red-ball cricket going forward."

^{England have won just one of their past 17 Tests [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

McCullum was something a surprise candidate for the England red-ball role. Though an experienced Test match player and captain, he has never coached at international level or in first-class cricket, instead serving as head coach of Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

However, while admitting that his appointment is a "risk" and that it will take time for him to adjust to his new role, McCullum is "confident" of making his stint with England a successful one.

"I'm confident in the skills I've got and the group we have to start things off well. It will take me a little while to become completely adjusted to some of the methods and ways over here, and it might take some time for the guys to adjust to me," McCullum said.

"I'm looking forward to it. It was a big risk taken by everyone, but you don't get anywhere unless you're open to taking a few risks in life.

"You look at the players around English cricket, there is so much talent there. There are some guys who have probably been disengaged and some who are yet to be discovered. It's not a shortage of talent and when you add some world-class players, it became an appealing target."

Speaking to BBC Sport, he added: "I'm under no illusions – it's a big job, but it's a good time to take over. Everyone is ready for change, everyone is ready to do things differently, and I think that's where my skills sit."

McCullum's first series as head coach will come against New Zealand at the start of June, with the first Test scheduled to begin on June 2 at Lord's.