Under the guidance of their new head coach and captain, Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, respectively, England have been a very different Test side in both the two Test matches. Even though there were times when it seemed as if they could lose the two matches, they were able to pull off amazing chases on both occasions to win the series.
Senior fast bowler Stuart Broad said that McCullum’s strategy is focused entirely on figuring out how to advance the game. This was made abundantly clear in the final session of the second test match, in which an extraordinary 179-run partnership between Jonny Bairstow and Stokes—which came in just 121 balls—helped England chase down a target of 299, even though they had started their second innings only halfway through the first session.
Broad shared his thoughts, saying, “He does seem incredibly new and lively in the changing room. He has a lot of upbeat energy. It is highly forward-thinking and focuses entirely on how to take this game to the next level.”
After Chris Silverwood stepped down as coach a month ago, this is the first series that England is playing under the leadership of McCullum, a former captain of New Zealand’s national team. After the 2019 World Cup, England’s limited-overs skipper, Eoin Morgan, said that the team’s revolution in white-ball cricket was inspired by how McCullum’s New Zealand side played.
Stuart Broad Reveals the words of Brendon McCullum
When England faced the same opponents at Lord’s a year ago, they did not even try to take on a final day aim of 273, and instead, they settled for a draw. This year, England’s offensive performance stood in stark contrast to their strategy against the same opponents.
“This is not a dig, but at tea, when we were four down with the game in the balance somewhat, I’ve been in changing rooms in the past where that would be close up shop. That’s not a good moment for us to be talking. Let’s tackle the risk; let’s rush towards the danger, this was a common theme in Baz’s pep talk for the squad, which ensures that your whole focus is on achieving victory.
It was never really a case of, ‘if we lose one we might shut up shop’. It was always ‘we’re going to win’ and if it doesn’t work, don’t worry about it,” Broad added.
