Exclusive: Ben Duckett Reckons McCullum Can Lead England to Champions Trophy Glory

Ben Duckett has backed Brendon McCullum to help England’s white-ball teams rediscover their former glories.

It was only a few years ago that England were dual 50-over and T20 world champions after that famous day at Lord’s in 2019 and the victory over Pakistan in the 2022 T20 final.

But with the focus since Rob Key took over English cricket being firmly the Test team, their status as the dominant force in white-ball has quickly evaporated.

McCullum, who has been Test coach since May 2022, will take the reigns in the shorter formats next month with a three-game ODI series in India before the Champions Trophy in February (19-9 March).

The squad for which was recently announced with Joe Root, the number one ranked Test batter in the world, recalled to the 50-over side for the first time since the ill-fated 2023 World Cup defence.

But talismanic Test captain Stokes, at the forefront of England’s dual triumphs, was left out due to a recurrence of the frustrating hamstring injury which kept him out earlier this year during the final Test of the year against New Zealand. 

“Brendon has this ability to get the best out of each individual,” Duckett told SportsBoom.com.

“You can see what he's done with the Test team and the exciting brand of cricket that we play.” 

“It’s kind of the way the England white-ball set-up used to play when there was a period of being the best in the world and winning World Cups.” 

“I'm sure he will be a breath of fresh air for the young lads in the white-ball teams. He'll find ways to come in and make the side hopefully a world class team.”

“I’m really looking forward to having him in the white-ball stuff and hopefully he can help my game in those shorter formats as well.”

“We want to go there [to the Champions Trophy] and try to win that.”

McCULLUM'S "AURA"

Former Kiwi captain McCullum has helped revolutionise England in the red-ball arena alongside Stokes’ revered captaincy.

The term “Bazball” was created as an identity for their ultra aggressive style, a word McCullum probably loathes more than a dot ball. 

Opener Duckett is the ultimate Bazballer and has reaped the rewards of having a leadership group urging him to take the game on from ball one since his recall two years ago.

When asked for an insight into what McCullum will bring to the white-ball set-up, England’s pocket rocket at the top of the order added: “He doesn't put pressure on us. He always wants you to take the positive option whether that's with the bat or with the ball to take wickets.”

“You only have to look at how Zak or Popey or myself over the last couple of years — Brooky's come in and just done him — but the young lads where he's taken their games to has been phenomenal.”

“To be honest, it's nothing too technical. I think the skill level's always been there but the mindset about how you go and approach things.” 

“He will never have a go at you for playing a certain shot or a certain innings. That takes so much pressure off you when you go out there. It makes you think you can go out there against Australia and run at the second ball Josh Hazlewood bowls at you.” 

“He'll have that aura where he makes you feel like you can go and do anything and why not?” 

“The messaging is very simple. It's also the consistency of it as well. He won't shout at you for a shot one day and then say you're a hero for doing it the next day.” 

“I can think of so many examples of myself personally. Even getting caught at deep point at Lord's one day one playing a reverse sweep he's not going to tell me to put that shot away because he knows how many runs it will get me. He'll just tell me to hit it ten rows back next time.” 

“He gives you a freedom and a backing to go and do it.”