New England white-ball coach Brendon McCullum has said that he intends to put a smile back on the face of Jos Buttler after taking up his new role. Buttler has come under criticism after England’s failed defences of the ODI and T20 World Cup crowns in 2023 and 2024. This would see Matthew Motts resigning from the job and many felt that Buttler could be the next one to face the axe.
McCullum was given charge of the white-ball teams and will start his role from January 2025 and felt that he could see the England white-ball captain be a little ‘miserable’ at times. McCullum, while talking at the press conference before the 3rd Test against Sri Lanka, hailed Buttler as an incredibly gifted player who is a fine leader and said his job will be to get the best out of the wicketkeeper-batter. The new England white-ball coach said he will be aiming to make the players feel they’re bulletproof and know that Buttler will be there to enjoy the ride with them.
“Yeah, he’s been a little bit miserable at times,” McCullum said. “I think he’s not naturally as expressive as what some may be.”
“But, I think he’s done a great job, right? He won a World Cup as captain [the T20 version in 2022]. He’s been part of World Cup-winning teams previously as well.
“He’s an incredibly gifted player. He’s a fine leader. My job is to get the best out of him so that all those that sit in the dressing room feel like they can be ten-feet tall and bulletproof when they walk out to play, and they know that the skipper is going to give them that extra pat on the back and and enjoy the ride with them.”
McCullum was ‘very’ confident that Buttler is the right man to lead England ahead and the aim for the next few years would be to ensure he enjoys the next few years.
“If he was to retire today, he’d go down as probably the greatest white-ball player England’s ever produced,” he added. “So, the opportunity for the next three or four years, however long he plays for, is just to enjoy it.”
“Just get the most out of all those guys around him, keep walking towards the danger, play with a smile on his face and try to do something which is really cool. Where you can look back and say: ‘Gee, I really enjoyed those last few years’.”
