'Was refreshing to look at the game differently' - Joe Root explains Brendon McCullum's impact on his batting

Almost immediate changes in England's brand of cricket were visible after Brendon McCullum was appointed as the head coach of the English side in 2022. He was initially appointed th lead the red-ball setup before being roped in as the all-format coach in September 2024. 

Seasoned English batter, Joe Root, lavished praise on McCullum's profound positive impact on the youngsters of the side. 

"It's about managing the situation to the best of your ability within your own game. McCullum is excellent at allowing players to do that. We've seen it bring the best out of several young players who previously weren't performing to their potential. They're thriving now, and I hope this continues into white-ball cricket," Root was quoted as saying by India Today.

Now, I think more about the game situation: Root

Root also compared the areas of batting he used to focus on before and after McCullum's appointment as coach.

"At 31 or 32 when Baz arrived, it was refreshing to look at the game differently. Marrying that with my experience has been exciting. It's added a lot to how I manage different bowlers, whether it's adjusting stance, creating angles, or being more proactive in staying ahead of the game. Before, I was more technical, focusing on foot placement, shoulder alignment, and head positioning. Now, I think more about the game situation, which has been invaluable," added Root.

Also Read: 'Losing more than they are winning' - R Ashwin expresses concern on England's Bazball approach after 4-1 loss to India

The upcoming three-match ODI series against India will be the first 50-over assignment for Root while since the 2023 edition of the World Cup. England are coming on the back of a deflating 4-1 series loss in the recently-concluded five-match T20I series. Root was recently a part of Paarl Royals in the SA20. He impressed with 279 runs under the belt in the eight innings he featured.