‘What better stage to entertain than India in India?’: Brendon McCullum

England men’s cricket team coach Brendon McCullum revealed the initial idea behind the attacking approach that has come to be known as ‘Bazball’. Featuring his nickname in the nomenclature, the style of play has reaped dividends – even if it hasn’t gone their way all the time.

As England brace for the five-match Test series against India, it is going to be a massive challenge in front of a big crowd in extremely unfavourable conditions. McCullum reckons that is where the entertainment lies.

“When we started out on this journey a fair while ago we wanted to provide as much entertainment as we possibly can,” McCullum said. “We felt that gave us the best chance as well. What better stage to do it on – against India, in India?

“There’ll be many eyeballs watching around the world and it’s a huge opportunity for us. India is the land of opportunity, and that’s what sits in front of us now. That’s the exciting thing. how long the games go, I’ve no idea but I’m sure both teams will stick to their respective styles. Throughout the Ashes, it was two heavyweights going at it with different styles, and I expect it to be the same in this series.”

An aspect worth considering will be how the pitch plays with spin friendly conditions on the cards. McCullum got a look of the surface in Hyderabad, which will host the first contest from 25 January, and admitted spin will play a role in the series.

“It looked good,” McCullum said about the pitch. “It looks like it’s going to spin.

“It may not turn right from the word go, but you’d think at some stage it will turn and I’m sure spin will be a huge factor throughout the series.”

Speaking about the England captain Ben Stokes, McCullum said he is good to go after undergoing surgery in November to aid his left-knee problem. “He (Stokes) looks like a greyhound. He’s put the work in, everyone knows his work ethic is phenomenal,” said McCullum.

“I’ve seen him running around and I think he’s good to go. We’ll obviously make that call as late as what we need to. But he’s put all the work in, and we’ll just have to wait and see,” McCullum said on the bowling quota for Stokes.

England come into the series on the back of a camp in Abu Dhabi. The visitors have been struck by the absence of Harry Brook who has opted out due to personal reasons. Taking his place in the squad is Dan Lawrence. Additionally, uncapped spinner Shoaib Bashir is yet to link up with the squad as his visa has not been processed.

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