‘We won’t be afraid to play all spinners’ - Brendon McCullum on England’s possible strategy ahead of remaining Tests

Ben Stokes-led England got off to a brilliant start to the ongoing five-game Test series against India as their side defeated the hosts at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Coming back into the clash, England put forth a brilliant performance and managed to topple India. It is worth noting that England played three spinners and just one fast bowler, in the form of Mark Wood, in the first Test but on a turning wicket, playing a spin-dominated lineup could be the way to go.

The same was the thinking of England’s Test head coach, Brendon McCullum. Recently coming forward to discuss tactics, McCullum opined that the side will not be afraid to play an all-spinner lineup against India in the upcoming clash as well. With the second Test of the series set to be held in Vizag, McCullum opined that a fourth spinner in the form of Shoaib Bashir could also be included in the side for the upcoming game.

“He (Bashir) was obviously with us in the camp in Abu Dhabi and he really impressed with his skill sets. He fits in the group. He, again, like Tom Hartley, has little first-class experience, but we thought his skill could help us in here,” McCullum told SENZ Radio.

“If the wickets continue to spin as much as what we saw in the first Test as the series goes on, we won’t be afraid to play all spinners or a balance of what we’ve got,” he added further.

A real sign of leadership: McCullum

Furthermore, head coach Brendon McCullum lauded the leadership ability of Ben Stokes, who handled debutant Tom Hartley in the clash and went on to play a crucial role in England’s sensational win against India.

“I thought the way Ben Stokes handled Tom Hartley in the first innings when he bowled him an extended spell regardless of the fact that he was getting put under pressure by the Indian batters, I thought that was a real sign of leadership,” McCullum concluded.