McCullum: Indian demolition job means it’s time for Bazball 2.0

BRENDON McCULLUM admits he must adapt England’s style for Bazball phase two after his side were beaten at their own game by a big-hitting India. The first phase of Bazball ended with a 4-1 thrashing, completed with victory by an innings and 64 runs for India in the final Test within three days, and left McCullum with much to contemplate as he begins what will almost certainly be the second and final stage of his time with England, culminating in the Ashes at the end of next year. McCullum pointed out that this was the first series defeat of his tenure but admitted it was a serious enough setback for changes in both approach and personnel, starting against West Indies and Sri Lanka at home this summer. ‘India probably outplayed us at the style of cricket we want to play,’ said McCullum of a team who hit 72 sixes to England’s 30, with 26 by Yashasvi Jaiswal alone. ‘They made us retreat a little bit and that’s something that will have to change.

‘We had our opportunities in this series but we were never able to close them out. That seemed to put doubt in our minds that wasn’t there at the start. We must have total conviction in those pressure situations.’ McCullum knows a partnership with Ben Stokes that began so spectacularly but has hit turbulent waters will ultimately be judged on whether England can beat India at home next year and then the biggest series of them all in Australia. Opportunities will be given to newcomers like Gus Atkinson this summer, with McCullum insisting both he and Stokes have ‘the hard edge’ to make big decisions over those they have up to now remained loyal to. It was perhaps significant, for instance, that McCullum would not give his full backing to either Jonny Bairstow or Ben Foakes with the gloves for this summer and it could be England blood one of their three up and coming batter-keepers in Ollie Robinson, James Rew or Jamie Smith when they recommence against West Indies at Lord’s in July.

‘We haven’t had that conversation yet and we have a couple of months to work it out,’ said McCullum. ‘There are good options and we’ve just got to make sure we make the decision we feel gives us the most weaponry to go toe-to-toe with the best in the world.’

One man who looks certain to still be featuring this summer and beyond is the remarkable Jimmy Anderson, who took his 700th Test wicket in defeat on Saturday and will be told to carry on by England possibly even as far as the Ashes at the end of next year.

‘You guys have probably been having this conversation about Jimmy for the last few years,’ added McCullum. ‘The thing about Jimmy I love is that after a tough summer he went away, worked hard and came back in great shape.

‘He’s an incredibly driven player and he took that difficult period on the chin and came back better and stronger. If he’s going to continue to do that then who knows where the end line for him is, but for now let’s just enjoy having Jimmy around and make sure we utilise the experience he’s got.

‘It’s the end of a tough India tour. We will have some time to reflect now and come back bigger, stronger and more refined. A lot of good can come from this series, I’m sure of that.’