Brendon McCullum responds to Michael Vaughan's 'Only India can compete in Aussie conditions' tweet

The Australian side has been in very good form ever since the return of David Warner and Steve Smith into the mix and Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Wade also contributing big time, in fact, Labuschagne has left Smith and Warner behind and is the only batsman to 1000 runs in Tests this year. Bowling-wise, Mitchell Starc has found his rhythm back and with Cummins, Hazlewood, and Lyon doing their work to perfection.

They have beaten Pakistan 2-0 at home and are on verge of winning the first Test against New Zealand as well at the Perth stadium. This is given rise to the question; which team can beat these rampaging Aussies in their own home. For the former England captain Michael Vaughan, that team is Virat Kohli’s India, which registered their maiden series win down under earlier this year and have won seven out of eight Tests they played in 2019.

Brendon McCullum replies to Michael Vaughan’s prediction

The Indian team is at the top of the points table of the ICC World Test Championship with 360 points from seven wins in seven games. Vaughan felt that no other team has the tools and ability to win under these conditions against the strong team like Australia. “Only 1 Team in the World can compete in Aussie conditions against this Australian Team .. that’s #India .. No other team has the tools,” he tweeted.

However, former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum took a bit of an offence to this statement. His team is on the brink of a defeat in the first Test, which is a day-night affair at the Optus Perth Stadium. Set 468 runs to win, Black Caps have lost both Williamson and Taylor on day four and even against hopes, the chances of their win are looking bleak. But McCullum called out Vaughan for his early judgment call.

He said that there is still one more Test match to go between Australia and Kiwis and Trent Boult may return for the boxing day Test, strengthening the touring side. “Bit of an early crow here Vaughny? Boult to come back in will be a huge benefit to Nz. As will not having to start batting against the new pink ball under lights! Aus likely to go 1-0 up but seen enough to suggest it won’t be one way traffic throughout. Time will tell I guess..” he wrote.

He did receive a reply from Australian opener Mark Waugh that lack of quality and penetrative spinner might hamper New Zealand’s chances at MCG, where the second Test will be played from December 26. “Lack of a quality spinner big issue for NZ in the next 2 tests,” Waugh wrote.