Brendon McCullum to pick "best team every time", backs Ben Stokes to succeed as captain

England's new red-ball coach does not favour the rest and rotation policy which became popular during Covid-19

Brendon McCullum aims to pick the best England team "every time", rather than employing a rest and rotation policy.

Rest and rotation became a popular strategy during the Covid-19 pandemic in light of the demanding bubble environments and concerns for player welfare, but it is not an approach England’s new red-ball head coach is likely to favour.

"I’ll probably get in trouble, but I like to pick the best team every time," McCullum told BBC Sport at Lord’s. "My job will be to plan as if you’ll live forever, but live as if you’ll die tomorrow.

"Bowlers have previously told me they don’t get tired bowling for Test wins and as long as we’re challenging for Test wins, I’m sure the guys will be up and ready to go."

McCullum’s first series as head coach comes against his native New Zealand, who he represented in 101 Test matches, and marks the return of James Anderson and Stuart Broad from their respective absences in the Caribbean.

^{McCullum addressed the James Anderson-Stuart Broad situation [Cameron Spencer/Getty Images]}

"Why not?" he replied, when asked if he’d select both players in the same XI. "They can work together; they’ve had successful careers together. There might have been times when the combination might not have been as good as everyone hoped, but there are circumstances around that – might not have got enough runs, bowling in benign conditions. I’m certainly not against picking them together."

The 40-year-old has also backed Ben Stokes to succeed as Test captain. The Durham allrounder replaced Joe Root in the role at the end of April.

"I’ve loved watching Stokesy play cricket over the years," McCullum told Sky Sports. "He’s one of those real characters of the game for whom the harder it is, the more they step up. Some people are born with those qualities and he’s certainly one of those guys.

"With Stokesy as captain, we’ve got a strong leader – a real 'follow me' type of captain – and my job will be to ensure we’re consistent with our messaging, look after the guys inside the environment and try to allow them to grow at a speed they might not have got previously. It’s a good challenge."

Speaking to BBC Sport, he added: "He plays the game how I like it to be played and puts bums on seats. I think he’s going to be a wonderful leader. He’ll go over the wall first and guys will go with him.

"He might fly. He might grab the captaincy and go to a whole new level. We’ll just play what we see and I’m sure the relationship between Stokesy and I will flourish."

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