England Legend Slams 'Yes Men' As He Rules Out Joining Them After Ashes Defeat
An England legend has hit out 'yes man' around Brendon McCullum as he ruled himself out of joining the set-up following their Ashes series defeat.
Australia claimed victory in the fifth Test to beat England 4-1 in the series, retaining the Ashes in the process.
England endured a miserable tour despite winning their first Test down under since 2011.
The tourists have come under fire as Kevin Pietersen said he'd only keep five players following the Ashes defeat.
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Sir Ian Botham has also had his say, slamming England's decision that he believes cost them the series.
Naturally, head coach McCullum and captain Ben Stokes have been scrutinised following the crushing defeat to their old rivals.
It remains to be seen whether McCullum keeps his job after 'Bazball' backfired in Australia.
Sky Sports' Michael Atherton suggested Alastair Cook would be a good fit to work as an assistant coach under current boss McCullum following the Ashes defeat.
Speaking on The Overlap and Betfair's Stick to Cricket show, Cook shared his thoughts on Atherton putting forward his name by dissecting the current set-up.
He called McCullum's assistants as 'yes men' before ruling himself out of the running to join England.
Cook, however, admits he thought about the idea after Atherton's suggestion.
"Firstly, as a head coach, you have to appoint your own people. It does seem like in this setup there's been quite a lot of - I don't want to say 'yes men' - but Tim Southee, who never coached, becomes bowling coach. Jeetan Patel is one of his best mates," he began.
“Have I thought about it since it's been announced? Of course I have. Your brain always wanders. Do I really want it now? I just don't know."
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Cook, who was the top run scorer in England's triumphant Ashes series in 2010/11, added: “I don't think I could be Director; I can't do Rob Key's job. It would have to be to do with the players and getting involved. But at the minute, I'm quite happy. I'm veering towards no."
Brendon McCullum 'keen' to remain as England head coach
McCullum, who is contracted to until the end of the home Ashes in 2027, is 'keen' to remain in his role as England head coach and is open to evolution.
But he insists he will stick by his methods that brought 10 wins from their first 11 matches in charge, though those same tactics have ultimately failed in Australia.
"I've a firm conviction in a lot of my methods," he said. "I'm not against evolution and not against progress.
"I encourage that across all sports, not just cricket. And all aspects of life as well. So I'm not against that."
The 44-year-old continued: "However, you need to stand for something. You need to believe in your methods and you need to believe in how you go about things."
Nasir Jabbar