Brendon McCullum has taken his share of criticism this winter. England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat was viewed in many quarters as self inflicted, with several of the head coach’s calls questioned.
His latest intervention, though, delivered precisely the impact required.
McCullum told white ball captain Harry Brook he would move up to No 3 for the T20 World Cup clash with Pakistan national cricket team. Brook responded with a 50 ball century in a two wicket win that secured England’s place in the semi finals.
“Baz [McCullum] was the mastermind there,” Brook said. “He had the discussion with me this morning about going up the order and trying to maximise the powerplay. Thankfully, it paid off.”
In reality, the shift was hardly radical. Former England all rounder Moeen Ali had suggested before the match that Brook should move up, with the Yorkshireman having batted exclusively at No 5 in T20 internationals in 2026 until that point.
Brook himself had been contemplating the change. Speaking to Michael Atherton on Sky Sports after the match, he admitted: “I have been thinking about it for while,” he revealed.
It felt like common sense. England’s most dynamic batter needed time at the crease, particularly with Jos Buttler struggling at the top of the order and Will Jacks performing the finishing role effectively.
Brook was at the crease by the second ball in Pallekele after Phil Salt edged behind for a golden duck. He was quickly into rhythm, clipping and pulling Salman Mirza for four and six in the second over before taking apart the spin of Saim Ayub, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan.
The footwork was sharp and decisive. He advanced to the pitch when required, then rocked deep in his crease to dispatch anything short. His reading of length was unerring, while his running between the wickets allowed him to exploit the large outfield and convert singles into twos alongside 10 fours and four sixes.
Brook reached his maiden T20 international hundred with a lofted drive for four off Shaheen Shah Afridi, having backed away the previous ball to carve a six over extra cover. He fell one delivery later to a Shaheen slower ball, but not before exchanging a handshake with the fast bowler.
The promotion had been designed with Pakistan in mind. Brook averages 84.10 against them in Test cricket, with four centuries and a fifty in six matches including a highest score of 317. In T20 internationals, that figure now stands at 62.66 after this innings.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha summed up the frustration.
“Whenever we play against England and we lose, it’s always Brook,” lamented Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha post-match.