Brendon McCullum joined England’s test team in 2020 and from there a revolution started for England in test cricket, there intent somehow changed and starts playing aggressively to bring some thrill and enjoyment in this format.
Everyone in world cricket gave this term as bazball, certain aggression haven’t seen by any team in test format but Brendon McCullum did it. However it succeed in England but in Asian conditions it failed.
Ollie Pope speaks about Brendon McCullum’s plans
Currently Ollie Pope is leading the team in absence of Ben Stokes and England won the first test match against Sri Lanka, though they didn’t played like bazball but dominance of England at home continues, Brendon McCullum may take some harsh decisions ahead of the series since he know were team stands and how the game should be played from now, Ollie Pope express his views about what Brendon McCullum has decided ahead of home season. Ollie Pope said:
“We have made some slight adjustments and obviously there has been a couple of injuries as well with Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley up top. They are just unfortunate injuries that happen. At the same time, it is a great opportunity for others guys to come in and get the go that they deserve,” Pope said ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka.
“With what Brendon (McCullum) did leading into this summer, he made some pretty brutal changes that he thought would take the team to a better place moving forward,” he added.
“It is almost like that kind of debut feeling again. But at the same time, I really enjoyed the week. Obviously the runs didn’t come for me, but for the team to get the win, that is the most important thing. I think the first time you do anything like that, I remember I was knackered after day one and I hadn’t done anything but fielded,” Pope elaborated.
“I think we showed last week. We don’t use the term ‘Bazball’, but we played quote ‘a different style of cricket’ and I think that is something that can keep taking us forward as a team. When we can be ruthless, we have got to try to be ruthless just to win as many games as possible. Other days we will go out and score a little more freely and potentially take the wickets in a shorter amount of time.
Can England change there plans from second test or will follow the same pattern of bazball? Second test against Sri Lanka will be starting from today at Lords.