White-ball coach Brendon McCullum feels ‘English cricket is certainly in a really good place’ as they turn their attention to an upcoming ODI tri-series in Pakistan in October.
McCullum oversaw a 3-0 T20i series whitewash of Sri Lanka, then steered Harry Brook’s charges to a 2-1 one-day international series win following a 223-run victory at The Oval.
The former New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter was relieved of his red-ball duties after a home series defeat to the Kiwis earlier this summer, with the ECB appointing Stephen Fleming as his successor in the Test-match format.
McCullum and Fleming know each other well from their playing days – and England’s white-ball coach feels English cricket is in rude health.
‘It has been eventful’
Ben Stokes and Mark Wood have retired from international cricket, Joe Root is enjoying a second stint as red-ball skipper, and Brook is relishing his role running the white-ball team.
McCullum has also added former England captain Kevin Pietersen to his coaching set-up as a specialist mentor.
And he told Sky Sports: “It’s been eventful. I genuinely feel right now, at the end of the summer, English cricket is certainly in a really good place.
“I loved coaching all three formats. The four years I had as Test coach were one of the most enjoyable periods of my time in cricket.
“But things move on, times change. I think Stephen [Fleming] will do an unbelievable job with the Test side.
“Overall, it’s no bad thing that it sits the way it sits now.”
Opportunity knocks for Cox
Jordan Cox has been one of the breakout stars of England’s cricket summer – and McCullum says he ‘will get the opportunity’ to establish himself in the white-ball side next month.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler will miss the trip to Pakistan, where England will also face Sri Lanka in the tri-series, after suffering a hamstring injury in the second match of the ODI series with Sri Lanka at Headingley.
Cox scored an impressive 76 off 52 balls in Sunday’s series-winning win at The Oval.
And McCullum added: “I thought that was quite a Jos Buttler innings.
“Cox will definitely get the opportunity in Pakistan.
“He’s done really well domestically for a number of years and he’s been unlucky with injuries when he’s been on the cusp previously.
“He’s deserved it. He’s very well liked in our dressing room and he seems to be one of those guys who is good at whatever he does, which can be incredibly annoying.
“He’s a good lad with a huge amount of runway in front of him in his career.”
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Buttler to miss Pakistan tour
On Buttler, McCullum said: “Jos won’t be in Pakistan.
“We know he’s an incredible athlete, we know he’s supremely fit and an ultra-professional, so he’ll do everything he can to get back as soon as possible, but it’s hard to judge how long that will be.
“It’s disappointing not to have Jos but it will be good for us to see where we’re at.”
England tri-series fixtures
Tuesday, October 20
Pakistan vs England; Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Thursday, October 22
Sri Lanka vs England; Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Sunday, October 25
Pakistan vs England; Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Thursday, October 29
Sri Lanka vs England; Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
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Michael Davey 
SportJustSport writers