England Test cricket head coach Brendon McCullum has asserted that his team will continue to play in the same intense fashion that they have done in the past.
England will face Ireland in a four-day Test match at Lord’s from June 1, before the Ashes 2023 series begins at Edgbaston on June 16. England, under McCullum and with Ben Stokes taking up the role of skipper, has won 10 of their past 12 Tests. Their constant urge to attack, keeping their opponents under pressure, and executing the ‘Bazball’ style of play have been the key reasons for the success that they currently enjoy.
McCullum stressed the fact that his players must continue to go with what has worked so far for them in the Ireland Test and Ashes series that will follow.
“The more that’s at stake, the more it’s important to keep it simple and relaxed, to do what gives you your greatest chance,” McCullum said, as quoted by the ICC (International Cricket Council). “At the first sign of trouble, you can’t run away from it. Or at the first sign of all the eyeballs in the world watching you, you can’t run away from what’s been most successful for you.”
“That’s when you should be at your clearest, keep things as simple as possible, and that will be the message right throughout,” McCullum added.
As England’s batters have gone at a run rate of more than five an over recently, they have also received from the bowling group regular 20 wickets to finish the job.