England head coach Brendon McCullum believes his players’ performances in the Ashes further validate the “Bazball” blueprint that has delivered a year-long undefeated streak in Test series under the New Zealander.
The hosts came from 0-2 down in an unforgettable series to draw 2-2, thanks to a narrow victory in the fifth Test at The Oval on Monday. They could even have won the series had rain not washed out the fourth Test at Old Trafford, which England dominated.
The Australians might be going home with the Urn but McCullum — Baz to friends — said England played their part in what he described as a “quite incredible” series.
“I think both sides have stayed true to their styles and that’s what makes a great heavyweight fight,” he said. “It’s two different styles and total conviction in them.
“When you look back to when the skipper (Stokes) was thinking, ‘would we be able to take on a great Australian team — and they are a great Australian team — and go toe to toe with them?’, I think the answer is yes and that’s a tremendous confidence booster for the group.”
It was McCullum’s first taste of an Ashes series and he said he didn’t want it to end.
It was the closest ever five-match Test series, with Australia earning their two wins by two wickets and then 43 runs and England winning the third Test by three wickets and the fifth by 49 runs. Three of the four completed Tests went deep into a fifth day.
“I think we should go round again and have another five Tests, keep doing what we’re doing,” McCullum said. “It’s been an incredible six weeks and I’m really proud to be sharing a dressing room with the England boys.
“If we look at the growth of the team in the last 14-15 months, it has been quite significant.”
England do not play Test cricket again until January when the team tours India, and McCullum has two holes to fill with Stuart Broad and Moeen Ali retiring.
McCullum hopes there are youngsters coming through who want to be part of this exciting England Test revolution where players are given license to be aggressive with bat and ball and play with no fear.
“What you’re trying to do is not only inspire the next generation but the layer underneath the top team, to have them understand how we’re going to play and work out in their own heads where they fit within that and try to force a place.”
Wealth of experience
Captain Stokes said on Monday that he had drawn on his natural optimism and experience as a player to help cope with the mental pressure of the Ashes.
“There have been a lot of 6:30 wake-ups on Day IV and Day V when my alarm has been set for 8:15,” he told reporters.
“I remember as a player being in big games, big days in a Test match where it’s ‘This day will define the game itself’. You don’t have to worry about it being a player. But obviously being the captain your mind goes to different places,” he said. “It just adds a different dimension to the whole game.”
He said he felt he’d handled the pressure well, mainly by staying positive and using his experience.
“I think I’ve stuck to myself as a person and myself as a personality around the group. I’m obviously a very optimistic person and try to keep the dressing room as optimistic as I possibly can,” he said.
“That comes from experience. Playing a lot of Test cricket, being involved in a lot of situations like that as a player,” he added.
