Eoin Morgan picks Rahul Dravid, Brendon McCullum as options for England’s white-ball coach

Former World Cup-winning England Captain Eoin Morgan has vouched for India’s Rahul Dravid and New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum - England’s Test team coach, among the options for England’s white-ball coach.

Since Matthew Mott’s resignation following England’s failed campaigns in the past two ICC events, the ECB is seeking a high-profile name to replace him at the top, with Morgan feeling McCullum is the lead contender, calling him ‘one of the best in the world’.

The ECB confirmed the change at the top after England failed to defend their crown in the T20 World Cup in the Americas under Mott, losing to eventual winners India in the semis.

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The 2019 WC winners also got knocked out of the group stages during the 2023 World Cup, losing to Australia, India and Afghanistan. Mott stepped down last week after two years in charge of England’s white-ball side.

Speaking of the changes the ECB must bring to ensure England stays at the top of the white-ball side, Morgan suggested a few big names to take over.

"In my eyes, at the moment, you would go to Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum," Morgan said during a chat with Sky Sports.

“I say that because I believe he is one of the best coaches in the world. You can see what he did with the England Test team.

"Yes, the big question will be how he makes it fit over the course of the 12 months, but from Rob Key's point of view, he needs to make the job attractive,” he continued.

Stating clearly why the board must appoint a proven coach and not bring in someone new, Morgan said, "The option is not to have someone come in and let them grow in the job. You're talking about winning World Cups and winning Champions trophies.

"This is not an opportunity for a young guy to come in. You want the best person on the planet to come in and help Jos Buttler and the England cricket team get better,” the former England captain noted.

Dravid is out of job

The former India great and a T20 World Cup-winning coach, Rahul Dravid, has been out of work since his contract ended with the Indian Team in July.Although the BCCI offered him a new contract, Dravid declined, citing spending more time with family as one of the reasons.

Meanwhile, Dravid is not seeking a full-time job, but earlier reports suggested that he remains in the fray to coach an IPL teamnext season onwards.

(With inputs from agencies)