For a New Zealander, whose national team is lucky to attract a handful of reporters at any given time, it was a culture shock.
But a 2025 that includes huge Test series at home to India and away in Australia promises to be a defining year for the 43-year-old, with his position and England’s results being scrutinised like never before.
Test cricket's showpiece is a total mess - no wonder England don't care
Read MoreBazball has largely been a success, with the series victory in New Zealand before Christmas taking McCullum’s record as Test coach to 22 victories in 35 matches – a win rate of 63 per cent.
Combining both the Test and white-ball jobs will be difficult for McCullum on a personal level as well, with the long breaks back at home in New Zealand between Test series a thing of the past.
England’s T20 team are less of a worry. They may have had a disappointing World Cup in the Caribbean last year despite reaching the semi-finals – a performance that ultimately cost white-ball coach Matthew Mott his job.
For this next year, though, what are England and McCullum’s biggest challenges and how are they likely to fare?
McCullum’s life in the white-ball job starts with five T20s and three ODIs in India this month.
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This will act as preparation for the Champions Trophy, where England play all three group games in Pakistan.
At least two wins will be needed to reach the semi-finals, which will be tough considering England have won just seven of their 20 ODIs since the start of the 2023 World Cup in India.
But although missing the injured Ben Stokes, the squad for the Champions Trophy shows already there will be a greater alignment between the Test and white-ball teams, with Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson all included.
Reaching the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy will be the minimum requirement for England but above that seeing whether McCullum and Buttler – close friends off the field – gel will perhaps be the most important takeaway from this tournament.
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India have proven tough opponents for Australia in their ongoing series Down Under despite being 2-1 down heading into the final Test.
The series starts in Leeds on 20 June and wraps up in early August, with the final four matches at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford and The Oval squeezed into five weeks.
Both players have been nominated this week for the International Cricket Council’s men’s cricketer of the year award.
Prediction: England to win 3-1
The Ashes
Since winning their last Test in January 2011, a thumping victory in Sydney that sealed a 3-1 series triumph, they have lost 13 out of 15 Down Under, with just two draws thrown in when series were already lost.
Brook will need to contribute big runs in at least three of the five Tests. Captain Stokes must be fit enough to at least play some part with the ball.
The bowling attack will be key and having the ability to rotate will give the Bazballers the best chance of putting pressure on an ageing Australian team.
This series will be the last hurrah for many of these Australian players, including star batter Steve Smith, who turns 36 in June.
Prediction: England win 3-2.
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