England’s aggressive style of play in their 3-0 series sweep over New Zealand has garnered a lot of attention, with most crediting the change in approach to new coach Brendon McCullum. The New Zealander, however, says that captain Ben Stokes carries a stronger flame of aggression in him.

England became the first team in the history of Test cricket to successfully chase three consecutive targets of greater than 250 runs.

On the fourth day of the last Test, at Headingley, when England came out to bat in their second innings, 40 overs were left in the day. McCullum revealed that Stokes thought that they could finish the match inside four days, chasing a 296-run target.

“I’m aggressive, but I think he (Stokes) might have me covered to be honest,” McCullum, nicknamed Baz, was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. “He came in even last night (Sunday) and we’d been set 296, with 40 overs left, and he was like ‘we’ll just knock them off tonight — extra half hour as well, it’s only seven an over!’

“He has been absolutely outstanding. He is clearly a leader that the guys want to follow. He is so consistent in his messaging as well, no matter how much is on the line,” McCullum added.

The coach is happy with the atmosphere in the England dressing room and what he has achieved in the few days that he has been with the team. “It has been quite an incredible few weeks. Trying to blend together the guys under Stokes’s leadership, with a slightly new look to it, has had some challenges, but the guys have really brought into it.

“I’m delighted with the camaraderie and application that sits within that dressing room,” McCullum said.