New Delhi: England head coach Brendon McCullum spoke positively about his side’s bowling attack, which is currently dealing with injuries to their main pace bowlers, and will be in action against India in the first Test at Headingley in Leeds from June 20. McCullum admitted that the young Indian side will be arriving with high hopes, but he remains clear about the direction he will guide his team to as they gear up for a gruelling five-match home affair.
Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket ahead of the first Test, McCullum said, “It’s important the guys refresh. We know where we want to get to as a Test team.” England’s bowling attack has taken a hit ahead of the five-Test series as Jofra Archer, eyeing a comeback, has been ruled out of the first Test while Mark Wood is unavailable for the entire summer due to injury. Gus Atkinson still recovers from a hamstring strain he sustained during the one-off Zimbabwe Test some two weeks back.
Chris Woakes, who is a part of the 14-member England squad for the first Test, recently used the India A match as preparation, in which he bowled 32 overs and picked up five wickets. Josh Tongue, another member of the squad and “likely to be part of the Test XI at Headingley”, chipped in with two wickets. McCullum admitted that while they have some bowling concerns but it’s still a “varied” attack.
“There are some quality bowlers unavailable, but we have a nice, varied attack with Chris Woakes, Sam Cook, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue providing the high-pace element. We also have Shoaib Bashir, who is growing in confidence with every Test. We know we’re going to be tested against India, and they will arrive well-prepared. They’re an outstanding cricketing nation, they’ll come here with high hopes, and we’re looking forward to the contest,” McCullum added.
McCullum on Bethell
The opening Test also marks the return of young all-rounder Jacob Bethell, who gets into the squad after impressing in New Zealand over the winter with three fifties from the no. 3 spot. “Bethell has a good life in front of him,” McCullum added. He went on to laud openers Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith, comparing the latter with Zak Crawley and his combination with Duckett.
“We know how good Duckett is, but the power that Smith possesses is amazing. These guys are fearless, and if you add the craft, then you hope you end up with a rounded player,” he said.
The series marks the start of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle (2025-27) for both India and England. The Men in Blue will be without the services of the retired Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and will be led by new skipper Shubman Gill. The squad is filled with young batting prospects like Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Team India, under head coach Gautam Gambhir, will take the field, aiming for their first Test series win in England since 2007.
Brendon McCullum provided a major update on England’s bowling attack for the opening Test against India, amid concerns regarding their main pace battery currently struck with injuries. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
