October 16, 2025 • 10 mins
The Black Caps are headed to Hagley Oval to take on England in the first of 3 T20 games.
Former Black Cap and current Head Coach of England Brendon McCullum told Mike Hosking that he is happy with his new career in the UK, but is excited to be home for the game.
"So yeah, very privileged to be in the position I'm in, especially not being out of playing too long to pick up this job and and get to work with these guys, It's been a real pleasure."
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Summer of cricketers here the T twenty with England Hagley
Oval tomorrow, which is probably one of the most beautiful
grounds going ahead of the the ODIs as of next week.
England's coaches, of course, Brendan McCullum, who's back in the
country and as well as Brendan morning, good morning. I
Are you enjoying it all?
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Yes? Absolutely, I am feel very privileged to be in
the position. I mean, obviously England as a sizable cricketing
nation and we've got obviously a lot of passion and
behind the game, a lot of history and behind our team,
and we've got some some wonderful talent and some great
theories that we're a part of. So yeah, very privileged
(00:38):
in the position of men especially, I guess I've been
out of playing too long to pick up this job
and get to work with these guys. Been a real pleasure.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Do you feel at home?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Yeah, definitely. Yeah. Yeah, Well I mean in New Villain now.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
No, no, no, and more within the England environment.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Yeah, yeah, I think so. I think I'm it's very similar.
The guys are very similar to the KII boys. I've
now been in that job, what three years or so,
and I feel like I've got a really good relationship
with all the guys who have been around the side,
whether that's some of the fellows who have moved on,
(01:19):
all the younger members who have come in. I love
being a part of sporting teams and I've been I'm
a social sort of guy, and I enjoyed being surrounded
by company and trying to give guys opportunities to realize
their talents. Yeah, I certainly enjoyed myself and Phil at home.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Cricket isn't the same as some of the other sports
in terms of nationality. Was it a thing that you
got appointed the England coach and did that need to
settle down?
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Look, it wasn't too bad, to be honest, I think,
you know, I think when I took over the job,
it was a clear thirst for change in a different
direction was identified required for them up And you know,
I guess my skills were kind of suited and my
approach was suited the direction that my boss, Rob Key
(02:07):
and Cricket wanted to take at the time, and hence
hints why I was put in that position. And you know,
I think more I've tried to do over the last
three years there's been sentthic and how to be authentic
with the style that I bring to the job and
try and get the very best out of all the
guys that sit within that England dressing room. Think one
thing that does have which is quite a sizable difference
(02:30):
to New Zealand. As much as there's noise around the
performance of the New Zealand cricket team, I think we
will probably admit that the performance of the All Blacks
has slightly more importance in this country. And if we
look at the English cricket there is a huge following
and behind the team and a lot of spotlight. And
one of the things that I try and do with
(02:50):
with this group of players is try and quiet and
down some of that noise so that their skills can
come out on the biggest stage.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
I'm glad you raise that because I follow I'm big
into the British media and it is a thing, particularly
the tabloids. Is that a pain in the ass.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
It can be if you want, if you want to
let it get to you. From my point, I remember
walking into the first press conference I had and after
being appointed as England coach at Lord's and I remember
going when I was captain of Bizillamal, can only be
three or four journalists there, and always thinking, as much
as this spotlight on that and this pressure that comes
with playing at this level, wouldn't it be great if
(03:29):
we had a lot more following and we were always
trying to inspire and trying to put out performances which
would would make cricket more relevant in this country. And
when I walked into Lords, I mean remember there was
about sixty five journalists there and I thought, a right, shit,
this is a bit different. So this is what a stage,
what an opportune Then you either let that affect you
or you see it is what a great platform to
be able to try and do something special and know
(03:52):
that this the sport and these guys are going to
be followed, and if you can get it right, then
you've got such a great opportunity to try and inspire
the next the next generation of cricketers, well the next
generation of athletes. So I say to choose cricket over
other sports.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Yeah, because the interesting thing is, of course, even though
we're excited to have you here and this is going
to be good and all that sort of stuff, if
you I'm sure you're aware the Australian media is already
busy talking up and down the Ashes things, so it's
it's with you for that period of time. Are you
aware of that? And how do you distance yourself from
the Ashes right here right now to concentrate on what
you're doing.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Yeah, I think. Look, the Ashes is clearly going to
be a massive series. It means so much to both
countries that we followed all all around the world and
there'll be spotlight on our team and the Australian team
like these guys have probably never had before. Excuse me,
but from one of the things we try and do
(04:51):
throughout the time that we were in this role as
trying to try and keep the boys firmly grounded on
what's in front of us. And we know we got
to steal a line from Gilbert and Oka. We try
and stay were our feeda and we want to we
want to make sure that we treat this series against
New Zealand for a very strong home with the absolute
(05:12):
respect that it deserves, and try and not only get
performances on the field, but try and create some memories
and some experiences for some guys a tour in this
country for the first time as well.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
We had Gilbert and Oka on the program the other day.
Isn't he awesome?
Speaker 2 (05:26):
He's brilliant. He's a good maid of mine as well.
And I was lucky when I lived for a period
of time in christ Hitch. I's actually lived across the
road from Gilbert, and I've got to know him really well.
I've worked with them throughout the New Zealand Cricket throughout
money own cricket career when he's employed in that job,
and consider him a good friend. He's a wonderful human being,
truly humble and high performed person in his life, and
(05:50):
he's got wonderful ethics and antegrity. And he's recently come
on board as a bit of a consultant with us
and when as well, I asked him to join us
and in the small capacity, and he's made a sizeable
impact on what we're trying to do. And he's the
best in the business of what he does, and we're
very lucky that he's agreed to help us.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Fantastic. The all Formats thing that you're now in charge
of didn't start that way one was it your plan
to be in charge hopefully of all formats and two
is that the way to go.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Well, it wasn't my plan to be in charge of
any formats because I was pretty happy sort of doing
the life that I had. Had a little sports breakfast
show with Israel Dag and we were sort of having
a bit of fun doing that on the radio, and
I was doing a bit of cricket commentary, and I
was coaching over in India with Colcata Night Riders and
over and the Caribbean with the Trimbager night Riders, and
(06:47):
I was enjoying the next stage of life. But sometimes
in life, opportunities are too good to turn down, and
the size of the job and the opportunity to try
and make sizeable change with the talent and possesses was
too good to turn down. And I guess when it
first came up, most people probably thought that I was
more more suited to the white bull job. For me,
(07:11):
my skills aren't really taking teams from good to great
per se though that's where I need to bring in
some help, and some of like Gilbert's perfect for that.
But my skills are probably more suited to trying to
be a team and butt a soul in to try
and strip out one of the external noise and the
extra stuff which goes on. And I looked at the
Test side and saw that as a team that had
won one out of seventeen Tests and were clearly clearly
(07:34):
keen to change how they approached, and with Ben Stokes
as captain, who was very aligned to how I like
to do things, and we've become very good mates since
I've been in this job, it just seemed like the
logical choice and the bigger job at hand. And then
obviously you know, since then the White will side, after
winning two been double world champions went through a little
(07:56):
bit of a lull too, so that probably that then
allowed the opportunity for me to step into this role.
And I know it's a big role and it was
quite demanding, and it does mean that there is a
long time away from home. But I'm very lucky that
you get the support of those close to you and
and they understand that this is a great pleasure and
a great opportunity to try and do something well. You're
(08:19):
while you've you're you're wanted by an organization. So it's
good fun. There is challenging days, but the other fun
days too. It was easy then, you know it wouldn't
be as much fun. So we're very, very helpful, humble
to be in the position that we're in.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Good on you the I know you're away for a
long time. I get all of that because it's cricket.
But I mean, you're sitting here talking in the middle
of October and the dashes aren't over tall January. You're
away for this seems longer than normal. Is that true?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
It is quite Yeah, this would be one of the
biggest stretches. It's pretty good, pretty good fun. And I
mean you sit around watch some of the best players
in the world go about their business. You get to
play in front of fool houses the whole time. There's
plenty of eyes on on the team that you're in
charge of, and you're playing a bit of golf and
having a couple of beers and watching guys grow in between.
And it's a pretty good game. I must admit.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
That's not the Are you gonna beat us?
Speaker 2 (09:15):
I don't know. We'll find out. I think New John's
a good side. We've bought a strong side here, hopefully
early season, and you're gone. We get conditions which allow
us to play both teams, playing staining cricket I think
in the shorter form of the game. You know, we've
seen how resourceful news On are, so we know what
they're going to bring. Mitchell Satton has done a great
(09:36):
job since taking over the cap and say as well.
He's resourceful with his own game, but also in the
way it goes about things, and they're in a bit
of transition the New Zealand side, but we certainly respect
him and know that we're left to be at our
best to beat him.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Good stuff. Nice to talk to you, mate. I appreciate
your time very much.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Pleasure enjoy listening to you.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
Good on you. Nice to talk to Brendan McCallum. For
more from the Mic Asking Breakfast, listen live News Talks
at b from six am weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
Summer of cricketers here the T twenty with England Hagley
Oval tomorrow, which is probably one of the most beautiful
grounds going ahead of the the ODIs as of next week.
England's coaches, of course, Brendan McCullum, who's back in the
country and as well as Brendan morning, good morning. I
Are you enjoying it all?
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Yes? Absolutely, I am feel very privileged to be in
the position. I mean, obviously England as a sizable cricketing
nation and we've got obviously a lot of passion and
behind the game, a lot of history and behind our team,
and we've got some some wonderful talent and some great
theories that we're a part of. So yeah, very privileged
(00:38):
in the position of men especially, I guess I've been
out of playing too long to pick up this job
and get to work with these guys. Been a real pleasure.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Do you feel at home?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Yeah, definitely. Yeah. Yeah, Well I mean in New Villain now.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
No, no, no, and more within the England environment.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Yeah, yeah, I think so. I think I'm it's very similar.
The guys are very similar to the KII boys. I've
now been in that job, what three years or so,
and I feel like I've got a really good relationship
with all the guys who have been around the side,
whether that's some of the fellows who have moved on,
(01:19):
all the younger members who have come in. I love
being a part of sporting teams and I've been I'm
a social sort of guy, and I enjoyed being surrounded
by company and trying to give guys opportunities to realize
their talents. Yeah, I certainly enjoyed myself and Phil at home.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Cricket isn't the same as some of the other sports
in terms of nationality. Was it a thing that you
got appointed the England coach and did that need to
settle down?
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Look, it wasn't too bad, to be honest, I think,
you know, I think when I took over the job,
it was a clear thirst for change in a different
direction was identified required for them up And you know,
I guess my skills were kind of suited and my
approach was suited the direction that my boss, Rob Key
(02:07):
and Cricket wanted to take at the time, and hence
hints why I was put in that position. And you know,
I think more I've tried to do over the last
three years there's been sentthic and how to be authentic
with the style that I bring to the job and
try and get the very best out of all the
guys that sit within that England dressing room. Think one
thing that does have which is quite a sizable difference
(02:30):
to New Zealand. As much as there's noise around the
performance of the New Zealand cricket team, I think we
will probably admit that the performance of the All Blacks
has slightly more importance in this country. And if we
look at the English cricket there is a huge following
and behind the team and a lot of spotlight. And
one of the things that I try and do with
(02:50):
with this group of players is try and quiet and
down some of that noise so that their skills can
come out on the biggest stage.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
I'm glad you raise that because I follow I'm big
into the British media and it is a thing, particularly
the tabloids. Is that a pain in the ass.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
It can be if you want, if you want to
let it get to you. From my point, I remember
walking into the first press conference I had and after
being appointed as England coach at Lord's and I remember
going when I was captain of Bizillamal, can only be
three or four journalists there, and always thinking, as much
as this spotlight on that and this pressure that comes
with playing at this level, wouldn't it be great if
(03:29):
we had a lot more following and we were always
trying to inspire and trying to put out performances which
would would make cricket more relevant in this country. And
when I walked into Lords, I mean remember there was
about sixty five journalists there and I thought, a right, shit,
this is a bit different. So this is what a stage,
what an opportune Then you either let that affect you
or you see it is what a great platform to
be able to try and do something special and know
(03:52):
that this the sport and these guys are going to
be followed, and if you can get it right, then
you've got such a great opportunity to try and inspire
the next the next generation of cricketers, well the next
generation of athletes. So I say to choose cricket over
other sports.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Yeah, because the interesting thing is, of course, even though
we're excited to have you here and this is going
to be good and all that sort of stuff, if
you I'm sure you're aware the Australian media is already
busy talking up and down the Ashes things, so it's
it's with you for that period of time. Are you
aware of that? And how do you distance yourself from
the Ashes right here right now to concentrate on what
you're doing.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Yeah, I think. Look, the Ashes is clearly going to
be a massive series. It means so much to both
countries that we followed all all around the world and
there'll be spotlight on our team and the Australian team
like these guys have probably never had before. Excuse me,
but from one of the things we try and do
(04:51):
throughout the time that we were in this role as
trying to try and keep the boys firmly grounded on
what's in front of us. And we know we got
to steal a line from Gilbert and Oka. We try
and stay were our feeda and we want to we
want to make sure that we treat this series against
New Zealand for a very strong home with the absolute
(05:12):
respect that it deserves, and try and not only get
performances on the field, but try and create some memories
and some experiences for some guys a tour in this
country for the first time as well.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
We had Gilbert and Oka on the program the other day.
Isn't he awesome?
Speaker 2 (05:26):
He's brilliant. He's a good maid of mine as well.
And I was lucky when I lived for a period
of time in christ Hitch. I's actually lived across the
road from Gilbert, and I've got to know him really well.
I've worked with them throughout the New Zealand Cricket throughout
money own cricket career when he's employed in that job,
and consider him a good friend. He's a wonderful human being,
truly humble and high performed person in his life, and
(05:50):
he's got wonderful ethics and antegrity. And he's recently come
on board as a bit of a consultant with us
and when as well, I asked him to join us
and in the small capacity, and he's made a sizeable
impact on what we're trying to do. And he's the
best in the business of what he does, and we're
very lucky that he's agreed to help us.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Fantastic. The all Formats thing that you're now in charge
of didn't start that way one was it your plan
to be in charge hopefully of all formats and two
is that the way to go.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Well, it wasn't my plan to be in charge of
any formats because I was pretty happy sort of doing
the life that I had. Had a little sports breakfast
show with Israel Dag and we were sort of having
a bit of fun doing that on the radio, and
I was doing a bit of cricket commentary, and I
was coaching over in India with Colcata Night Riders and
over and the Caribbean with the Trimbager night Riders, and
(06:47):
I was enjoying the next stage of life. But sometimes
in life, opportunities are too good to turn down, and
the size of the job and the opportunity to try
and make sizeable change with the talent and possesses was
too good to turn down. And I guess when it
first came up, most people probably thought that I was
more more suited to the white bull job. For me,
(07:11):
my skills aren't really taking teams from good to great
per se though that's where I need to bring in
some help, and some of like Gilbert's perfect for that.
But my skills are probably more suited to trying to
be a team and butt a soul in to try
and strip out one of the external noise and the
extra stuff which goes on. And I looked at the
Test side and saw that as a team that had
won one out of seventeen Tests and were clearly clearly
(07:34):
keen to change how they approached, and with Ben Stokes
as captain, who was very aligned to how I like
to do things, and we've become very good mates since
I've been in this job, it just seemed like the
logical choice and the bigger job at hand. And then
obviously you know, since then the White will side, after
winning two been double world champions went through a little
(07:56):
bit of a lull too, so that probably that then
allowed the opportunity for me to step into this role.
And I know it's a big role and it was
quite demanding, and it does mean that there is a
long time away from home. But I'm very lucky that
you get the support of those close to you and
and they understand that this is a great pleasure and
a great opportunity to try and do something well. You're
(08:19):
while you've you're you're wanted by an organization. So it's
good fun. There is challenging days, but the other fun
days too. It was easy then, you know it wouldn't
be as much fun. So we're very, very helpful, humble
to be in the position that we're in.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Good on you the I know you're away for a
long time. I get all of that because it's cricket.
But I mean, you're sitting here talking in the middle
of October and the dashes aren't over tall January. You're
away for this seems longer than normal. Is that true?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
It is quite Yeah, this would be one of the
biggest stretches. It's pretty good, pretty good fun. And I
mean you sit around watch some of the best players
in the world go about their business. You get to
play in front of fool houses the whole time. There's
plenty of eyes on on the team that you're in
charge of, and you're playing a bit of golf and
having a couple of beers and watching guys grow in between.
And it's a pretty good game. I must admit.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
That's not the Are you gonna beat us?
Speaker 2 (09:15):
I don't know. We'll find out. I think New John's
a good side. We've bought a strong side here, hopefully
early season, and you're gone. We get conditions which allow
us to play both teams, playing staining cricket I think
in the shorter form of the game. You know, we've
seen how resourceful news On are, so we know what
they're going to bring. Mitchell Satton has done a great
(09:36):
job since taking over the cap and say as well.
He's resourceful with his own game, but also in the
way it goes about things, and they're in a bit
of transition the New Zealand side, but we certainly respect
him and know that we're left to be at our
best to beat him.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Good stuff. Nice to talk to you, mate. I appreciate
your time very much.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Pleasure enjoy listening to you.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
Good on you. Nice to talk to Brendan McCallum. For
more from the Mic Asking Breakfast, listen live News Talks
at b from six am weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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