Brendon McCullum has embarked on a test cricket revolution with England but it’s been revealed how close he came to missing out on the job.
The former New Zealand captain has guided England to 11 wins from 14 tests since being appointed in May last year, most recently seeing his side narrowly edged in a thrilling first Ashes test in Birmingham.
Australia clinched a two-wicket victory earlier this week and, had England’s coaching search played out differently, the tourists could well have been facing one of their own.
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting revealed that he was offered the England test coaching job last year, before McCullum had the chance to install his aggressive Bazball style of play.
But when England were looking to replace former coach Chris Silverwood, with the team on a woeful run of one win in 17 tests, Ponting turned down the job.