New England Test coach Brendon McCullum made a big impact in the interview process, with ECB strategic adviser Sir Andrew Strauss revealing the selection panel was 'blown away' by the New Zealander's vision.
McCullum was unveiled as the new Test coach on Thursday, with England taking a huge gamble on the 40-year-old. As a coach, McCullum has only ever worked on the T20 franchise circuit with IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders and their CPL affiliate Trinbago Knight Riders.
However, he played a total of 101 Test matches for New Zealand and enjoyed an impressive stint as their captain, helping revolutionise the way they played the game and laying the foundations for their World Test Championship win last year.
England fans will be hoping McCullum can have a similar impact as coach and Strauss, who was part of the selection panel which appointed him, believes he is the "perfect person" to turnaround a side which has won just one of their last 17 Test matches.
Speaking to Sky Sports , Strauss said: "I'm delighted and I'm excited. He blew us away with his clarity of thinking and his simple approach.
"He's a very positive guy with a very clear mindset and he will embed that in that Test team at a time when confidence is a bit low and people need a bit of clarity and direction. He's an impressive guy. He can't wait to start and, quite frankly, I can't wait for him to start."
"[As a player] he was incredibly ambitious, he used to run down the wicket against some of the quickest bowlers in the world. He always took the positive option, he wasn't scared of failing, he wasn't scared of making mistakes and I think that is what this Test team needs at the moment.
"They need someone to back them, to give them confidence and inspire them and they need to break the shackles and realise how good they are. I think he's the perfect person to do that."
McCullum will take charge of England for the first time when they face his native New Zealand at Lord's on June 2.
