England won’t change approach for Ashes
BRENDON McCULLUM says England will go hard at Australia next year in a high-octane bid for the Ashes. However, he would be happier if their Test revolution was not labelled ‘Baz-ball’.
The Test coach was responding to Steve Smith’s comments about England’s transformation, with which he questioned whether the positive tactics that conquered New Zealand and India will work against Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Co.
McCullum accepted the Ashes, to be held in England next summer, will represent the ultimate test of his and Ben Stokes’ game plan. But he confirmed they will not be changing their approach.
‘I saw those comments,’ he said. ‘He is right, Australia will challenge what we’re capable of achieving and that’s exciting. Isn’t that what the game’s all about? To reinvigorate yourself and then be confronted by the very best?
‘New Zealand and India are good sides but Australia is a different kind of challenge because of the history of the Ashes and the rivalry.
‘I’m sure our guys will try to maintain a positive approach. The real key is not just the crash and burn if you look at how the guys have done it.
‘That’s why I don’t like that silly term people are throwing out there (Bazball). There’s quite a lot of thought that goes into how the guys manufacture their performances and when they put pressure on bowlers and which bowlers they put pressure on.’
With Test series against South Africa, Pakistan and New Zealand to come before next summer’s Ashes, McCullum prefers to live in the moment. But he admitted he has one eye on what remains the biggest date in the English calendar. ‘We know that’s probably the ultimate challenge for us,’ he said. ‘Our focus is on South Africa but at some point we’ll start looking at Australia.’
have appealing chances again this afternoon, but i wonder if Creative Force may take the lead in their personnel duel as he ran a blinder to finish fifth in last year’s renewal and rider William Buick appears happy to stay loyal to the gelded son of dubawi after Ascot. Commonwealth Cup winner perfect power is hugely respected as is Aussie contender Artorius who tried to come from a long way back in the platinum Jubilee, meeting trouble in running in the process, before taking a gallant third. however, Creative Force looks handily drawn with pace to run at late on and is fancied to lift the prize. With 11 races on terrestrial television today, there is no shortage of action so keeping up with events on a packed programme may offer the toughest challenge. York also stage a card which would stand alone on any normal Saturday and the talented ROGUE BEAR (York, 4.05) could be the answer to a typically competitive renewal of the John Smith’s Cup.