Defiant England coach Brendon McCullum says his belligerent batters will go a “little bit harder” within the second Ashes Test, adamant all-out assault is one of the best ways to show the tables on Australia.
McCullum stated he and England captain Ben Stokes would use the time earlier than the second Test begins at Lord’s on June 28 to “digest what unfolded” at Edgbaston, with a day-one declaration coming again to hang-out the house crew as Australia recorded a victory for the ages.
The England coach conceded Australia’s completely different, extra stoic method, headlined by man-of-the-match Usman Khawaja going through greater than 500 balls throughout two innings, proved efficient.
But he was assured the very fact the match went all the way down to the wire “validated” his crew’s method.
“I think we played our style, which is to try and take the game forward,” McCullum stated.
“I thought Australia were happy playing their style as well, which ultimately led to success for them and I’m sure they’ll continue with those tactics right throughout the series. I think it’s set up to be quite a fascinating contest.
“Obviously, you‘d rather have won the game – that’s just the nature of sport sometimes – but I thought the way that we played, I think it’s validated our style of play as well. If we’d have got a little bit of the rub of the green, then we might have been on the other side of it.
“I’m sure they’ll stick solid to that strategy all the way through, which I think’s great because we’ll go a little harder and they’ll probably stick to their strategy.”
McCullum was additionally unapologetic about paceman Ollie Robinson’s behaviour after two on-field exchanges with Khawaja and a few press convention feedback that got here again to chew him.
“I think it happens in all international cricket,” McCullum stated.
“It’s two competitive teams going at it and desperate to try and get a performance for their countries, so you’re always going to get a little bit of a boilover of emotions.
“I don’t think it crossed the line from what the match referees were saying. They were pretty content with it, as far as I’m aware. But I’m sure it’ll be a hotly contested series right throughout and it won’t be the last time we’re probably talking about it.”
The England coach stated he would take a look at “tweaking” just a few issues and confirmed quick bowler Mark Wood was firmly within the choice body for the second Test. But the method won’t shift.
“Both teams have got a little bit of time to digest what’s unfolded over the last five days and maybe slightly tweak a couple of things along the way,” McCullum stated.
“But I’d expect that they’d carry on doing the same sort of playing (style) that they executed here, and we’ll be doing the same.
“I‘m really proud of the boys. A couple of things didn’t quite go our way at times, but that’s the nature of the game. We firmly believe, the skipper and I, that this gives us our greatest chance.
“Everyone that has watched this game over the last five days, I would be very surprised if there were too many people who disagree with how we go about playing.
“We want to keep getting up and throwing punches as a team.”
Source: www.news.com.au
