England will have a chance to prove they have learned from their Ashes drubbing when they face New Zealand in the first Test of their home season at Lord’s on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The tourists were swept aside 4-1 in Australia in a series that ended in January, sparking renewed criticism of Brendon McCullum’s men over their ultra-aggressive “Bazball” style of cricket.<\/p>\n
Attacking cricket has been the hallmark of McCullum’s four years as England coach, starting with a thrilling series win over New Zealand in 2022.<\/p>\n
But it has failed to deliver series wins against either Australia or India and McCullum accepts England must display greater cricket intelligence if they are to improve.<\/p>\n
“I think from our point of view, we still want us to be recognisable from the past,” he told reporters at Lord’s on Tuesday, two days before the start of a three-Test series.<\/p>\n
“We just want to hopefully be a cricket team which has evolved somewhat.”<\/p>\n
The former New Zealand captain said: “We want to be a team which is better under pressure, a team which can navigate tactically, can understand where you sit in the game and what’s required.<\/p>\n
“If you’re in front of the game, how are you able to close games out, what’s required during those moments? If you’re behind the game, tactically, how do you navigate that situation?”<\/p>\n
Many observers felt McCullum, England managing director Rob Key and captain Ben Stokes were fortunate to all keep their jobs following the Ashes debacle.<\/p>\n
But the trio all remain in post, with England keen for all-rounder Stokes to once more make an impact with the bat after he managed just 184 runs in Australia.<\/p>\n
England have freshened up their team, dropping under-performing opening batter Zak Crawley and replacing him with debutant Emilio Gay.<\/p>\n
The home side are also set to recall off-spinner Shoaib Bashir for his first Test in nearly a year after he saw off competition from leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed.<\/p>\n
“Bash has the ability to play more of a holding role in the first couple of days here at Lord’s,” said McCullum.<\/p>\n
“As the game deepens, and if spin starts to become more prevalent, then he can go more into an attacking role. There’s a little bit of tactical nuance there.”<\/p>\n
England are confident Jacob Bethell, one of their few successes in Australia, will be fit to bat following a finger injury suffered on IPL duty, but will be without fast bowler Jofra Archer because of his commitments in the franchise competition.<\/p>\n
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson expects a strong challenge from England in the 150th Test at Lord’s — the most staged by any ground in the world.<\/p>\n
“They’ve got a hell of a lot of experience and a number of world-class players that have done it for a long time,” said the veteran batsman.<\/p>\n
“So we know they’re going to be a very strong opposition, as they always are for us as a team. We’re in a similar position, with some experience and some younger players as well.<\/p>\n
“It’s always a great battle against England and I know the team’s looking forward to it.”<\/p>\n
Matt Henry could be fit to bolster an impressive seam attack after the paceman missed last week’s innings victory over Ireland through injury. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"