Brendon McCullum is already looking forward to the ‘ultimate challenge’ of the Ashes next summer to see whether ‘Bazball’ can stand up to the examination.
The Aussies have taken notice of England ’s progress under McCullum over in Sri Lanka where they are currently touring, with Steve Smith less convinced about the new style. Smith even declared ‘Bazball!!!’ as he tried to smash a ball while batting in the nets.
As a player McCullum only ever won one of the 16 Test matches he played against Australia, including his most aggressive performance when he scored the game’s fastest ever Test hundred. But he is now hoping to reverse that trend as a coach with a team who have bought totally into his attacking approach.
“We know that’s probably the ultimate challenge for us,” McCullum said on SEN Radio. “You want to make sure you enjoy the ride.
“I keep preaching to the boys about being where your feet are and to try to immerse yourself in the here and now. It is going to be a big challenge when we take on Australia.
“It’s going to challenge our method and it’s going to challenge what we’re capable of achieving and that’s pretty exciting I reckon. Isn’t that what the game’s all about?
“Is to sort of reinvigorate yourself and then be confronted against the very best. Give us a few months to be able to get our things together and we might be able to take on the great Australian side."
In conversation with former Aussie keeper Adam Gilchrist, McCullum also admitted he wasn’t hugely keen on the term ‘Bazball’ even though it appears here to stay. “I don’t really like that silly term that people are throwing out there,” he added.
“Because there’s actually quite a bit of thought that goes into how the guys manufacture their performances and when they put pressure on bowlers and which bowlers they put pressure on. There’s also times where they’ve absorbed pressure beautifully as well.”
