In addition to his role as England's head coach, Brendon McCullum has a passion for racehorses, owning and breeding them in his homeland of New Zealand. When a 'big chestnut with a pale face and dodgy legs' emerged from the stables, it seemed only fitting to name it after his close associate, Ben Stokes. 'That horse has got a big heart, too, so I thought it was perfect,' McCullum remarked, before the team moved their training base from Queenstown to sunny Christchurch. The duo even attended a race where Stokes, the horse, secured a commendable third place at Riccarton Park racecourse, just before the official start of their New Zealand tour, despite initial concerns about the horse's readiness.
In Test cricket, there is no third place. With the team's momentum somewhat stalled by a year of seven wins and seven losses, England faces growing discontent among some fans who find their strategies and selections perplexing. McCullum acknowledges that results will be the ultimate judge and emphasizes their 'fiercely competitive' nature, despite his belief that an overemphasis on outcomes can cloud judgment.
Eighteen months after a 1-1 draw in New Zealand, culminating in a one-run defeat in Wellington, the two sides are set for a more promising three-match series. New Zealand, fresh from a historic 3-0 sweep in India, are favorites. McCullum, while proud of his countrymen, described their performance as 'the greatest in New Zealand's history' and praised the resourcefulness that led to it. England's preparations, however, have been marred by a 2-1 loss in Pakistan and the recent injury to Jordan Cox. Unless his replacement, likely Durham's Ollie Robinson, can arrive in time, Ollie Pope will take over wicketkeeping duties in the first Test starting Thursday. For a player under pressure, this is an additional complication.
Before Cox's fractured finger was confirmed, McCullum expressed his support for Pope, stating that early jitters are not as concerning as they seem from the outside. With New Zealand's Gary Stead indicating an all-seam attack for the hosts at Hagley Oval, conditions will be vastly different from the last two surfaces in Pakistan, which were dried out for spinners and saw England struggle.
'I wouldn't say Pakistan rocked our confidence, but it definitely hurt,' McCullum said. 'As a cricketer, you need a memory like a sieve. You need to let what's gone before wash over you and focus on the present to ensure you're fully engaged. That gives you the best chance.' On Pope, who has three centuries this year but little in between, McCullum added, 'Not many English players have had long careers at No 3 and been successful. It's been a big year for him. He took on the captaincy when Stokes was injured, which makes you grow, whether instantly or over time. We believe that experience will make him a better player. He's still a key player for us.'
Stokes returned from his hamstring injury in Pakistan but was subdued, averaging 13 across four innings and allowing the game to drift in the decider in Rawalpindi. The burglary of his family home could only have added to his stress, though McCullum insists the intense fitness work was the main factor and an early return home was never discussed. 'The work he put in will pay off soon,' McCullum added.
This tour naturally brings thoughts of next winter's Ashes, even if McCullum dismisses the relevance for now. However, planning for that series has been impacted by the news that Jofra Archer, aiming for a red-ball return, will start next summer in the Indian Premier League after securing a £1.4m deal. Unlike Stokes, who opted out to focus on England, Archer is believed to have been swayed by the new IPL rule that could freeze out players for three years if they don't participate. For an injury-prone fast bowler, keeping this option open is understandable, even if England, who have funded his lengthy rehabilitation, might feel aggrieved.
McCullum offered a diplomatic view: 'Archer is fully committed to playing for England and returning to red-ball cricket, but there are significant opportunities for him. We have to be flexible. He needs to continue feeling good about his body, maintain a decent workload, and then put himself forward. There's no guarantee he will be selected when he returns to red-ball cricket. We've uncovered some incredible talent in the last 12 months. The pool is looking strong. If he can get fit and ready and his skillset is what we need, he will be in contention.'
This warning reflects the emergence of Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, two fast bowlers who now have the chance to deepen their experience with the Kookaburra ball on southern surfaces. This tour is not just about learning; with New Zealand buoyant, England needs to hit the ground running from the outset.
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