McCullum sees only blue skies despite historic loss
Brendon McCulluM looked a tad bemused when asked if england would try to learn from mistakes they made here in crashing to england’s heaviest post-War defeat.
‘That’s not how I like to do things,’ said McCullum after confirming there would be no inquest, no team meetings and certainly no naughty-boy nets after India had handed out such a third-Test pasting it would challenge even the dalai lama’s powers of tranquillity.
‘If you have one crack at life you may as well enjoy yourself and remain positive,’ said McCullum the morning after the 434-run defeat before. ‘There’s lots of people who see grey sky not blue and to me that’s not necessarily how you should go about it. It’s certainly not how you want to play as a cricket team with this much talent.
‘Yes, we will get it wrong at times and the guys in their own way will process that and smooth out some of the rough edges. But to have a conversation saying, ‘We didn’t do this right, we need to do this next time’ would be detrimental to what we’re trying to achieve. You need conviction in your methods otherwise you are guessing every single day.’
It was almost therapeutic sitting with the england coach and listening to his total conviction in the methods that have brought such excitement to english cricket — and a lot more wins than losses — over the last two years.
Clearly McCullum is not for turning even after this huge bump in the rajkot road led to calls from respected former captains nasser Hussain, Michael Vaughan and Mike Atherton for england to adapt to the demanding conditions. ‘We’ve all been in enough dressing rooms when you see things go the other way and you start retreating on what you’ve done before and what you’re trying to achieve,’ said McCullum. ‘once you do that you’re living and dying every day by your results and that’s not what this team is about. ‘This team is about pushing the game forward to try to entertain and ultimately win. But also to allow the talent we have in english cricket to come out even under the utmost scrutiny.
‘You can only do that by providing an environment where the guys feel safe and feel they can take on the world. The messaging from myself and the skipper will never change. We’ve got to cop this one sweet but we look forward to the next opportunity.’
It was hardly surprising then that McCullum gave his full support to the batsmen who have struggled in a series that has emphatically swung in India’s favour. Jonny Bairstow looked so out of form in rajkot that it led to speculation he might be replaced by dan lawrence for the fourth Test in ranchi on Friday. not so, says McCullum.
‘look, he’s not scored the runs he would have wanted and a couple of times he’s got out mildly for someone who’s got the power game Jonny’s got. But I don’t have concerns over him. We know that a topquality Jonny is as good as anyone in any conditions so we’ve got to keep giving him confidence, block external noise and keep him focused on what he’s trying to achieve.’ But McCullum admitted he would be spending extra time with Bairstow to make sure he is in the right frame of mind for the huge challenge of trying to salvage this series.
Joe root’s place is not in danger but his form is a worry after perhaps his worst all-round game for england.
‘Joe will be fine,’ insisted McCullum. ‘He’s had no luck here. I thought he lined up beautifully in the last two innings so he’ll come good. The law of averages suggests he’ll fill his boots in the next two games.’ They are two Tests McCullum and england are adamant they can win. ‘Too right we can win the series,’ added the coach. ‘If we bounce back from this then we’ll know this team is starting to get where we want it to.’