Joe Root is an outstanding cricketer but does not have leadership qualities: Brendon McCullum

Former New Zealand cricket legend Brendon McCullum has revealed that he has not seen any significant leadership traits in England Test skipper Joe Root. McCullum also labelled Root as a wonderful guy and an outstanding cricketer.

McCullum also offered his opinion on the 1st Ashes Test match between Australia and England. The 40-year-old opined that England had their chances in the Test, but they were not strong enough to grab them.

McCullum even stated that England just ‘went missing’ when the Aussies started to flex their muscles. McCullum also added that it is remarkable that the Joe Root led outfit has lost 7 Test matches in this calendar year alone and reckoned that England have experienced a dire year in Test cricket.

“I think Joe Root is a wonderful guy, an outstanding cricketer and they talk about him as a very good leader. I haven’t really seen it. England had opportunities, they had their chances, but they just weren’t really strong enough. When the pressure came on and Australia started to flex, England just went missing.  That’s their seventh Test loss in the calendar year which is just remarkable. Their worst ever has been eight and it’s been some time since that. The worst ever in the history of Test cricket is nine by Bangladesh. It’s been a pretty dire Test match year for England,” said McCullum to SENZ Breakfast.

Joe Root allows the match to drift: Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum also felt that Joe Root is not one of the best skippers in world cricket, as he allows the match to drift away. Adding that Australia were on the ropes in the 1st Ashes Test, McCullum concluded by stating that Root allowed Australia to fight their way back into the match.

“To me, leadership is not just about being able to make the right calls at the right time tactically as a skipper. He’s not, to me, up there as one of the best in the world at it. He allows games to drift at times. When they had Australia on the ropes the other day, he allowed the game to drift. If you give Australia any chance of being able to fight their way back they will,” concluded McCullum.