England must ‘shoot for the stars’ – McCullum

Head coach Brendon McCullum claims that the England men’s Test team is prepared to “shoot for the stars” in a memorable year.

Their highest position since McCullum’s appointment in May 2022, they placed second in the International Cricket Council Test rankings earlier this month.

After a one-time Test against Zimbabwe that begins on Thursday, they will face formidable opposition in Australia, including the Ashes and India.

McCullum stated on the BBC Radio 5 Live Cricket show, “We’re not trying to pick this team up any more.”

“It’s a matter of turning this team from a good team into something that the English people are really proud of.”

Before the New Zealander took over, England had won 22 of their 35 Test matches under McCullum. They had also lost one of their previous 17 matches.

Although we’re actually traveling fairly well, there’s still room for improvement, he continued.

England have produced frequently thrilling cricket under the direction of McCullum and Ben Stokes, and they have won numerous series victories in Pakistan and New Zealand.

They were also severely defeated in India and lost to Pakistan last year, and they were unable to regain the Ashes in 2023 after going 2-0 behind against Australia before drawing the series again.

After winning the series in New Zealand in December, they lacked momentum to lose the third and final Test.

McCullum said he and his team want to “attach” England fans, who like them both in terms of their respective roles in the series and their respective styles of cricket.

There is no greater chance than to test that when playing in big series against the best opponents on the biggest stage under the brightest lights, he continued.

When asked about England’s attempt to win 3-0 in New Zealand, Stokes claimed he hated the word “ruthless.”

McCullum, however, called the all-rounder “the most ruthless” sportsperson he had ever met.

He declared, “He is unbelievably driven to push himself, push his team-mates, win at all costs,” adding, “He is a maniac.”

He’s going to be very strong in his efforts to advance this team to the next level, according to the chair. “We’re very lucky to have him in the chair.”

McCullum said England won’t underestimate Zimbabwe in the four-day Test at Trent Bridge despite the obvious focus on the five-test series against India and the Ashes down under.

He said, “We want to be where our feet are.”

If you don’t have the respect for the game or the opposition, “this game has an amazing ability to bring you back to life.”