Joe Root talks about his performance and form under McCullum, says he has improved tenfold under his tutelage.
Joe Root: My game has improved ‘tenfold’ with McCullum as coach.
Calling Brendon McCullum “one of the best coaches I’ve ever had,” Joe Root has supported the under-pressure head coach of England.
Root has joined Harry Brook and Ben Stokes in endorsing McCullum, whose job has been under a lot of strain after England’s crushing Ashes loss and reports of off-field conduct problems where McCullum’s laid-back atmosphere is said to have gone too far.
Although the ECB is hesitant to make significant changes, McCullum’s position has gained more attention due to rumours that managing director Rob Key will remain in his role.
“I think Baz is one of the best coaches I’ve ever worked with,” Root said following England’s win in the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo. “Obviously we’re disappointed with the way things went out in Australia, but I still think there’s a lot more really exciting things to come from this group.”
Root cited McCullum’s impact on his own performances, stating: “If you look at my own personal game, the time that he’s been the coach, it’s improved tenfold.”
“Obviously it’s more fun when you win,” Root said, addressing England’s current dressing-room environment. “But I’m still having the best time of my life. I get to turn up and do the thing that I love every day with a great group of people, some brilliant minds and some experts that you can constantly keep improving and developing under.”