sport news England are blessed Rob Key chose Brendon McCullum in his sliding doors moment trends now

It was, said Jonathan Agnew on Test Match Special, a 'lightbulb moment'. He was talking about the time he first heard Brendon McCullum's name linked with the England Test coaching job and it perfectly described my reaction, too.

Of course it made sense. The New Zealander was clearly the perfect man to come together with Ben Stokes and change the whole mentality of the England team. The only surprise was that none of us other than Rob Key had thought of it.

How different things could have been had Key — who has been a breath of fresh air since swapping commentary for administration — gone with Gary Kirsten, the man considered the hot favourite for the job earlier this year.

So confident was the South African that he had got the gig, he started rearranging his life and interests in Cape Town to make sure he was ready to make the move to England.

Instead he had to make do with remaining coach of Welsh Fire, who he led to precisely no victories in eight games in the Hundred after struggling in Cardiff. Talk about a 'sliding doors' call for England.

It was Trevor Bayliss who said a good coach puts himself out of a job because he allows the players to take responsibility, and McCullum has been the epitome of that approach ever since he strolled into Lord's in his jeans, white trainers and dark glasses. 

Everything about McCullum has been about fun, enjoyment and entertainment, banishing pressure and the fear of failure.

Practices have been short and the coach has cut a hugely relaxed figure on the periphery of nets or on the team balcony. 'I don't really do a lot, to be honest,' he insisted in the aftermath of England's sixth win in seven Tests this summer.

'Just let the guys do what they're born

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