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Brendon McCullum reflected on England’s 2-2 Test series draw against India, noting room for improvement ahead of the Ashes.
England head coach Brendon McCullum (AP)
Brendon McCullum acknowledged there was “room to enhance” as he reflected on England’s gripping 2-2 Test series draw against India and focused on sharpening the squad ahead of the Ashes later this 12 months.
Speaking after a dramatic six-run defeat at The Oval that saw India level the series on the ultimate day, the England head coach praised his team’s fight while recognising the narrow margins that denied them their first series win over India since 2018.
In an exciting finish to the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India staged a comeback from 2-1 down, securing victory in only 56 minutes on the twenty fifth morning—marking their narrowest ever win by runs in Test cricket. England’s pursuit of a 374-run goal fell aside from a dominant 301/3 to a disappointing 367 all out, losing 7 wickets for just 66 runs in a collapse that ultimately cost them the series.
“We’ll let this one sit, we’ll digest it,” McCullum was quoted by ESPNCricinfo as saying. “We’ll give you the chance to pick what has gone well, then begin to work out how we will keep improving so, after we do arrive out in Australia, we give ourselves an enormous likelihood.”
The previous Recent Zealand captain emphasised that England’s journey under his and Ben Stokes’ leadership remains to be very much a piece in progress. With no Test matches scheduled until the Ashes opener in Perth this November, McCullum now has time to evaluate the highs and lows of a compelling summer.
What Did Brendon McCullum Say?
“We’re in the center now, halfway through what we knew was going to be an unbelievable 12 months of Test cricket. We all know we’ve got some room to enhance,” he said. “You’re at all times learning any time you get to see guys having to dig deep and go to places they’ve perhaps not been before. There’s loads to pick as we give ourselves time for this to digest and work out areas we will look to enhance for our next challenge.”
England’s fielding, particularly within the fifth Test, faced criticism. They dropped six catches during India’s second innings of 396, mistakes that McCullum admitted proved costly.
“We didn’t catch thoroughly on this game, but have caught very well over the previous couple of years,” he conceded. “Sometimes dropped catches occur, and one leads to a different. If we had held our catches, perhaps we’d have been standing on the opposite side of the result. That’s life, there are such a lot of little things in the sport we could pick and have huge impacts. We’re fielding unit and had a little bit of a mean performance on this Test.”
Despite the frustration of missing out on a series win, McCullum praised his players’ commitment and India’s resilience, especially that of fast bowler Mohammed Siraj.
“Ultimately, I’m really happy with the fellows and their efforts,” he said. “It’s been a combative series; it’s taken its toll with injuries, and a few of one of the best players have gone home injured. To sit down here at 2-2, yes, you’re disillusioned, but you’re happy with the efforts.
“The way in which India were late on on this Test, Mohammed Siraj has absolutely the heart of a lion to bowl 90mph in his thirtieth over of his fifth Test match. It’s quite an incredible effort.”
McCullum admitted England had opportunities to shut out the series but was reluctant to dwell on them, as a substitute crediting India for seizing the crucial moments.
“We threw all the things at them. It was a testament to how stoic they’re as a team. We knew once they turned up in England, it might be a really stern challenge and we’d need to play excellent cricket to get the result we wanted.
“Ultimately, I believed it was a completely unbelievable series to be a part of. It had confrontation, it had stalemates, it had passion, and it had some sub-par performances under pressure as well.
“As much as we got ourselves in a winning position this Test match, I feel like they deserved to win. They played higher cricket,” he added.
(With inputs from IANS)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha… Read More
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