England coach Brendon McCullum, right, chats with England captain Harry Brooke (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) MUMBAI: England white-ball captain Harry Brook called Brendon McCullum “the best coach I ever had”, urging the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to retain the New Zealander as head coach of the all-format team after England’s seven-run semi-final loss to India. McCullum’s future came under scrutiny after England’s poor Ashes tour in Australia, where they lost 1-4.After England’s narrow defeat to India, McCullum said he would “love to continue”, with Brook insisting the former New Zealand captain remained “125%” the right man for the job. Brook said his partnership with McCullum has flourished since he took over as white-ball captain in April last year. “Our partnership has been really good since I took over. We get on very well and the communication has been excellent. Long may it continue,” said Brook.
India departs from Mumbai to Ahmedabad | Team India is heading into the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand
“I’ve said many times he’s the best manager I’ve ever had. He has an aura in the dressing room and everyone looks up to him. What he achieved as a player was incredible and he’s carried that over into his coaching. He’s changed English cricket for the better over the last four years.”Brook also credited a culture of tenacity in the side – something he said McCullum had helped foster – as England repeatedly fought their way back into matches throughout the tournament. “The boys battled and we were in the game until the last ball almost every game,” Brook said.Despite winning six of their eight matches, England never produced a complete performance during the World Cup. In the semi-final, England put up a strong fightback and finished on 246/7 in response to India’s formidable 253/7 in what Brook described as “the bowlers’ graveyard”.Brook battled the disappointment of the exit and said he was proud of the team’s spirit. “Disappointed but extremely proud. I couldn’t have asked for more as captain. We’ve had an amazing campaign.”Brook also admitted that he let India off the hook by dropping Sanju Samson in the middle of the match when the wicketkeeper was on 15. “Catchers win matches, don’t they?” Brook said. “Unfortunately it didn’t stay in my hands. He played a very good innings and probably won the game for them. It’s not ideal but it’s happened now.”
