Gung-ho McCullum and his tactical fallacy
In spite of Brendon McCullum's attacking tendencies, there are deficiencies in his tactical decision-making that he could address for the advancement of New Zealand cricket, says Mark Reason for stuff.co.nz
10-Jun-2015
Brendon McCullum led his country to its first World Cup final, but has since made a few tactical errors • Getty Images
Mark Reason, writing for a stuff.co.nz, analyses the personality behind Brendon McCullum and gives his opininon on why the captain isn't the hero he is made out to be. From leading his team to its first World Cup final, and giving it away by slashing at a charged Mitchell Starc in the first over, and costing his team a series victory in England due to his 'gung-ho attitude' as well as his failure to admit weaknesses are some of the case-in-points employed.
McCullum would never let a game drift. He would rather set fire to his cricket bag than a let an afternoon session pass by uneventfully. Most of this New Zealand team have followed their leader. The players are thrilled to plug into the new attitude. There is even a constant energy in the slip cordon, among men who spend most of their day squatting in the sun, waiting for something to happen. New Zealand are playing interesting cricket. In the past few months McCullum's gung-ho attitude has cost his team their chance of winning the World Cup final and a series victory in England. The decision to bat first in Melbourne was crazy. It looked daft at the time and so it proved.