England coach Brendon McCullum wants to ensure his players show “humility” and do not “lose touch with fans” as they “shoot for the stars” in bumper Test series against India and Australia.
McCullum and captain Ben Stokes transformed the Test side after taking on their respective roles in the spring of 2022, winning 11 of their first 12 matches in charge while instilling an aggressive brand of cricket, dubbed Bazball.
Results have been more mixed since with England, at times, guilty of squandering opportunities to close out victories while also talking what managing director of cricket Rob Key recently called “rubbish” during interactions with the media.
England also lost 10 of their 11 white-ball matches in the subcontinent earlier this year, including three from three in the Champions Trophy, and have regularly denied accusations that they prefer playing golf to training.
McCullum feels that may have dampened supporters’ enthusiasm for the team and is eager to “bring them along for the ride” as they face India at home from June 20 and then aim to win back The Ashes in Australia from November 21.
Speaking ahead of the one-off, four-day Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge from Thursday – live on Sky Sports – McCullum said: “We want to be a strong representation of English fans, want them to feel part of this journey. There are things we need to do to make sure we bring everyone along for the ride and that includes winning.
‘We have not been as smart as we could be’
“I think people were excited with how we played at the start, enthralled by the free-wheeling cricket we played. I felt they had a sense of belonging to that type of group.
“But [since then] we have let opportunities slip and perhaps not been as smart as we possibly could with some of our comments to the media.
England begin their Test summer against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge from Thursday
“We talk about wanting to get fans behind us. Our responsibility is to bring those guys along, to inspire the next generation of kids to choose cricket over different sports.
“It’s not just what you do on the cricket field. It’s how you carry yourself, how you interact with the public, the messaging you give.
“Dealing with the biggest stage and brightest lights is one thing but you need to be humble, show humility and not feel out of reach or out of touch with the general population.
“We want people to look back and say ‘crikey, that team in the mid-2020s was one we loved following and I felt a part of that.'”
McCullum excited for India and Australia challenges
England have not won The Ashes away from home since 2010/11, losing 13 and drawing two of their 15 Tests in Australia since.
McCullum wants England to ‘bring the fans along for the ride’ including by winning
McCullum’s side were beaten 4-1 the last time they played in India, in early 2023, but drew the previous home series 2-2, with the final Test played a year later than planned in 2022 after Covid-19 had kiboshed the last match the previous summer.
England won that final Test at Edgbaston, chasing down a target of 378 in less than 80 overs thanks principally to unbeaten centuries from Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root.
Looking forward to the upcoming Australia and India series, McCullum added: “I am extremely excited. It’s everything you want when you take on jobs like this.
“You get an opportunity to see where your environment is at and where your players at – tested on the biggest stage under the brightest lights against the best opposition.
England captain Ben Stokes told Sky Sports recently that he will return for the Test summer in peak physical condition
“To get to No 2 in the world is good and everyone is happy about that about that but now is the time, working from a strong base, to shoot for the stars and say, ‘where can we take it? What can we achieve?’ The next six to ninth months will test that out.”
The focus this week, though, is on Zimbabwe, who lost to a County Select XI in a warm-up match last week and will be playing their first Test in England in 22 years.
McCullum added: “We don’t want to look too far ahead knowing this game has a funny way of tripping you up if you don’t give it the respect it deserves.
“That starts against Zimbabwe. Our boys come in rock-hard fit with plenty of cricket under their belts and after a good training camp.”
Watch England’s four-day Test match against Zimbabwe live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10am on Thursday. Stream cricket and more top sport with NOW.
England men’s Tests this summer ☀️
All games at 11am UK and Ireland; all live on Sky Sports
- vs Zimbabwe: Thursday May 22-Sunday May 25 – Trent Bridge
- vs India: Friday June 20-Tuesday June 24 – Headingley
- vs India: Wednesday July 2-Sunday July 6 – Edgbaston
- vs India: Thursday July 10-Monday July 14 – Lord’s
- vs India: Wednesday July 23-Sunday July 27 – Old Trafford
- vs India: Thursday July 31-Monday August 4 – The Kia Oval
Ashes series in Australia 2025-26 🏏
All times UK and Ireland
- First Test: Friday November 21-Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
- Second Test: Thursday December 4-Monday December 8 (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
- Third Test: Wednesday December 17-Sunday December 21 (12am) – Adelaide Oval
- Fourth Test: Thursday December 25-Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Fifth Test: Sunday January 4-Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
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