NICK HOWSON: The England men's Test coach pays tribute to Ben Stokes and Jack Leach but is refusing to look ahead to Pakistan after signing off a successful summer with a series win over South Africa
Brendon McCullum is unlikely to release a self-help book in the immediate future but should England's men's Test coach consider filling time between series, 'Living for the Moment' might be a good working title.
The Kiwi is remaining grounded despite leading a remarkable turnaround in the team's red-ball fortunes, liberating the entire group and helping to restore their reputations.
From one win in 17, England have taken six from seven this summer; whitewashing world Test champions New Zealand, securing a series draw with India and coming back from 1-0 down to upset South Africa.
It has been achieved thanks to putting faith in individuals, bold tactics, giving licence to batters, setting aggressive fields and a relationship with the like-minded Ben Stokes that has blossomed. Not that McCullum is keen to take too much credit.
"I don’t really do a lot, to be honest," he said. "Just let the guys do what they’re born to do – to play cricket in the style and manner they want, and try to bring the group together and make sure they’re enjoying themselves.
Stokes and McCullum, England's Test leadership axis (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
"Sometimes when you're playing this game you start off as a kid and it's so much fun, and you get thrust into the bright lights and the big cities and the expectations are thrown on you, the enjoyment can go out of the game and it can start to lead to negativity seeping in.
"My job is to ensure that we're always reminding ourselves that this job is meant to be the greatest time of our life, being a cricketer at the highest level and trying to create memories that you look back over in time.
"That's the results, but it's also the fun and the camaraderie that you build up. Hopefully, we've been able to achieve that."
McCullum is keen not to drift into hyperbole, preferring instead to stay grounded and keep the discussion around the team simple - a microcosm of his cricketing philosophy.
That said, he needs little invitation to talk about his highlights of the summer. The first is the leadership of Stokes, who many believed would buckle under the pressure as England's superstar allrounder and now leader.
"His own game is phenomenal, his leadership qualities are amazing and he runs through brick walls for the side, as we've seen with some of his bowling spells," he added.
"Obviously you've got to be able to do things differently in different conditions, but for now let's enjoy what we've been able to achieve"
"For me, his messaging, the consistency of the message and the positivity and the selection, and just his ability to spend time with his team-mates and support staff as well, which is also an important aspect of captaincy too.
"He's not just been able to deliver a message but allowed the message to go across the entire group, and do it comfortably in a short period of time. Not too many people have that skill, but he's certainly got it, and that's why the guys have responded to him."
His other stand-out moment was Jack Leach's "amazing" 10 for 166 in the third Test win over New Zealand at Headingley, which secured a 3-0 victory over the country his led with aplomb during his playing days.
Normally, attention would turn to the next assignment in Pakistan - three December Tests in Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi - a first tour there in 17 years, but McCullum is in no hurry.
"Pakistan we'll deal with in time," he said. "For now, let's enjoy what we’ve been able to achieve over the last little while.
Pakistan are the next (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)
"These summers don’t come around often, and these memories don't get created easily. So allow that to simmer away, and make sure the guys are walking away from this summer and have this memory of what we've been able to create etched into their minds as well.
"That will allow us when we come across opposition away and conditions are different to be able to call on some of those fond memories.
"Obviously you've got to be able to do things differently in different conditions, but for now let's enjoy what we've been able to achieve.
"I haven't given it a lot of thought. Let this one settle, then start to have those conversations. You do plan forever in this job, but you've got to live as if you’ll die tomorrow as well.
"You've got to make sure that while you do have an eye on what's coming, you don't get too far ahead of yourselves. Still got a couple of months before we have to head over there. Let's just enjoy this one."
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