Inside England cricket coach Brendon McCullum’s passion for race horse breeding with one named after Ben Stokes

BRENDON McCULLUM took one look at the beast and knew instantly what it should be called.

He picked up the phone to Ben Stokes and told him: “I’ve got this big chestnut, big strong thing with a pale face and dodgy legs. Any chance I could name him after you?”

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England cricket boss Brendon McCullum is a huge horseracing fan[/caption]

McCullum can often be found at the biggest racesRex Features

As well as being England’s head coach, McCullum is a race horse owner, breeder and punter.

Stokes agreed and he and McCullum were at the Riccarton Park track in Christchurch earlier this month to watch his equine namesake finish third in a race.

McCullum added: “The horse has a big heart, too, so it was the perfect name!”

Now the more serious stuff is about to start with Stokes leading England in a three-Test series in New Zealand, starting at 10pm UK time on Wednesday.

Stokes will need to show his legendary “big heart” because, after missing four Tests in a row with a torn hamstring, his return coincided with the two defeats in the 2-1 series loss in Pakistan.

Stokes managed just 53 runs in four innings, didn’t take a wicket and even captained at times below his normal inventive and inspirational best.

Back in England, his family suffered the harrowing experience of a burglary while they were in the house. Stokes did not mention the incident to most of the players.

McCullum added: “The work Ben has put in recently and while we were in Pakistan will come good in the next little while.

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“I wouldn’t say Pakistan rocked our confidence as such but it definitely hurt. When I talk to the lads, I say you need a memory like a sieve as a cricketer.

“You need what’s gone before to wash over you and focus on the here and now, to make sure you’re totally present. That gives you the best opportunity.”

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McCullum named a horse after star man Ben Stokes[/caption]

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England are set to stick with Ollie Pope against New Zealand[/caption]

Stokes and McCullum already have a problem in New Zealand with Jordan Cox, slated to keep wicket in the absence of expectant dad Jamie Smith, ruled out the tour with a broken thumb.

It means Ollie Pope will almost certainly have to do the job for only the fourth time in his Test career because likely replacement Ollie Robinson (the Durham stumper, not the Sussex seamer) is not expected to arrive in time to be ready.

Pope scored 55 runs in five innings in Pakistan was as frenetic as ever at the start of his innings. Pope makes the occasional eye-catching century but does little in between.

But England are planning to stick with him through to next winter’s Ashes tour unless someone like Jacob Bethell, poised for his Test debut tomorrow, makes a compelling case.

McCullum explained: “Not many English players have churned out long careers at No.3 and been successful.

“It’s been a big year for Popey. He took on the captaincy when Stokesy was injured and that makes you grow, whether instantly or in time. We think that experience will make him better. He’s still a huge player for us.

“Even Ricky Ponting was susceptible in his first 20 or 30 balls but, once he got going, he’d climb into you. I’m not saying Ollie Pope is Ricky Ponting but it’s not an easy place to bat because the ball is doing more.”

Meanwhile, Jimmy Anderson’s dream of playing in the Indian Premier League at the age of 42 ended when he attracted no interest from any of the ten franchises at the mega auction.

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Jimmy Anderson’s Indian Premier League dream is over[/caption]