England tour of New Zealand: After having won 9 of ther 10 Tests since he joined hands with Ben Stokes, England head coach Brendon McCullum said the visitors will continue to be aggressive in the 2-Test series against the BlackCaps at their own backyard.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 9, 2023 13:35 IST
Brendon McCullum will be in-charge of England’s Test team in New Zealand (Reuters Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum will face a test against his own country at his home when the 2-match Test series between England and the BlackCaps gets underway from February 16 in Mount Maunganui. McCullum and New Zealand-born Ben Stokes will look to orchestrate the downfall of New Zealand in the upcoming 2-Test series as England look to continue their terrific run in the longest format of the game.
Since taking over as head coach of the team and beginning his partnership with Stokes, McCullum’s England have been sensational in Test cricket. It all began when England hammered New Zealand 3-0 at home and they have gone on to win 9 out of their last 10 Tests.
A lot of England’s success can be attributed to their aggressive approach with the bat, a style that has been labeled “Bazbal”. While conceding that New Zealand pacers will offer them a stern test at home, McCullum said he doesn’t see any reason why England would change the approach that has brought them success.
Having entertained New Zealand crowd over the years with his big-hitting skills, McCullum said it’s time to entertain the crowd again, this time as head coach of the big-hitting England Test side.
“It should be alright. They’re going to be entertained at least whether New Zealand win or whether we win,” McCullum said on Thursday.
“Obviously people are patriotic and want their own team to win.
“But this is one of the reasons that we’re in the job that we’re in – is you’ve got to make test cricket entertaining (and) want to ensure people walk away with a great experience from the game.”
‘GUYS ARE ENJOYING IT’
McCullum said it had been a “quite amazing” time since he took charge last May and that there was no reason the good times could not continue.
“We can take forward some of the lessons that we’ve learned from the past 10-11 months and it’ll give us the opportunity to do something pretty special in the next little while,” he said.
“I don’t think we have to do too much different. The Guys are enjoying their cricket.
“Wherever they go they’ve got smiles on their faces, they’re laughing and joking.
“We know when they put their head down and start working, they put in the yards. That’s all you can ask for … If you do that you don’t know where the ceiling is.”
England have been sensational in the tour game against New Zealand XI in Hamilton. In their first innings, England, led by Ollie Pope in the 2-day match, hit 465 runs in just 69.2 overs.
Joe Root hit 77 off just 69 balls while Harry Brook smashed 97, including 9 sixes in just 71 balls. Lawrence Daniel hit 85 off just 55 balls while Ben Foakes chipped in with a fifty as England signalled their intentions ahead of the 2-Test series.
