England head coach Brendon McCullum on Monday (27th June) said that skipper Ben Stokes is a step ahead of him in aggressive nature and is 'pushing the envelope' to send a strong message.
England’s new era under Stokes and McCullum started with a 3-0 Test series win against New Zealand. They displayed a staggering performance in all departments and it was a collective effort from the whole side to register their first series win under a new skipper and coach.
English players looked very optimistic on the field and many credited the duo of Stokes and McCullum for the positive change in the team. They played an attacking brand of cricket and pulled off incredible chases in all three games.
The likes of Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Stokes and others chipped in at different stages and help England reply to all the critics that they have faced of late.
Speaking to BBC, Brendon McCullum said that it has been ‘incredible’ last few weeks for him as he’s trying to blend the team under the leadership of Stokes.
"It has been quite an incredible few weeks. Trying to blend together the guys under Stokes' leadership, with a slightly new look to it, has had some challenges, but the guys have really brought into it,” Brendon McCullum said.
McCullum said that although he’s aggressive, Stokes is even a step ahead of him and is ‘pushing the envelope’ to send a strong message about England’s approach.
“I am aggressive but I think Ben has got me covered. He is really pushing the envelope and sending a strong message that this is how the team will play,” he said.
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McCullum narrated how Stokes was ready to chase New Zealand's fourth innings total on Day 4 itself before praising the skipper for his consistent approach.
“He came in even last night and we'd been set 296, with 40 overs left, and he was like 'we'll just knock them off tonight - extra half hour as well, it's only seven an over!'
“He has been absolutely outstanding. He is clearly a leader that the guys want to follow. He is so consistent in his messaging as well, no matter how much is on the line,” he said.
Coming to the final day of the fifth Test, England took just 15.2 overs to score the remaining 113 runs they needed on Day 5 to reach a target of 296. Bairstow notched up a 30-ball fifty to wrap up the game in just over for his side by 7 wickets in an hour of play after rain washed out the first session.
(BBC inputs)
