India will come with high hopes, England looking forward to battle: Brendon McCullum
England head coach Brendon McCullum said the young Indian Test team will arrive with high hopes, but he remains clear about the direction he wants to take his side in as they gear up for a challenging five-match home series.India begin their new World Test Championship cycle with a five-Test series against England, starting at Headingley on 20 June. India, without the services of the retired Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, will be led by new skipper Shubman Gill. The squad features a promising crop of young batters, including Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal.advertisementIndia are aiming for their first Test series win in England since 2007.
"It's important the guys refresh. We know where we want to get to as a Test team," McCullum told Sky Sports Cricket.England's bowling resources have taken a hit ahead of the series. Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the first Test, Mark Wood is unavailable for the entire summer due to injury, and Gus Atkinson is still recovering from a hamstring strain sustained during the one-off Test against Zimbabwe a fortnight ago.Chris Woakes used the India A match as preparation, bowling 32 overs and picking up five wickets. Josh Tongue, who is "likely to be part of the Test XI at Headingley," chipped in with two wickets."There are some quality bowlers unavailable, but we have a nice, varied attack with Chris Woakes, Sam Cook, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue providing the high-pace element.advertisement"We also have Shoaib Bashir, who is growing in confidence with every Test. We know we're going to be tested against India, and they will arrive well-prepared."They're an outstanding cricketing nation, they'll come here with high hopes, and we're looking forward to the contest."The England coach also praised young all-rounder Jacob Bethell, who returns to the 14-man group after impressing in New Zealand over the winter with three fifties from the No. 3 spot."Bethell has a good life in front of him," McCullum added."For a 21-year-old, he's got a real poise, and that allows him to go out there and be present and show off his flair and talent. The world is his oyster. He's already becoming a leader in the dressing room, which is what you want."Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett have reminded me of Duckett and Zak Crawley in the Test game. We know how good Duckett is, but the power that Smith possesses is amazing. These guys are fearless, and if you add the craft, then you hope you end up with a rounded player." You May Also Like
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
17 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Cummins and Carey shine as Australia remain on top in WTC final despite collapse
Australia captain Pat Cummins shone with the ball while Alex Carey added crucial runs after a dramatic collapse, helping the defending champions maintain control in the World Test Championship final against South Africa, who resumed Thursday's play at 43/4, struggling to post a competitive total. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Australia captain Pat Cummins starred with the ball and Alex Carey made valuable runs following a dramatic collapse as the holders retained the advantage in the World Test Championship final against South Africa on bowler Cummins produced a sensational spell of four wickets for one run, sparking South Africa's collapse to 138 all out on the second day in reply to Australia's first innings total of 212 at Lord' collapsed to 73-7 in their second innings, with Kagiso Rabada (3-44) and Lungi Ngidi (3-35) doing the bulk of the Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16 not out) shared an eighth-wicket partnership of 61 before the wicketkeeper was lbw to Rabada shortly before the last over of the day saw Starc dropped on 14 when Marco Jansen shelled a routine catch off Wiaan stumps Australia were 144-8, a potentially decisive lead of 218 runs.A remarkable 28 wickets fell in two days on a pitch which, while offering some assistance to the quicks, was by no means a match scheduled for five days, could now finish before the end of the third."In England when it's overcast, the ball seems to do a bit more," Starc told the BBC."Everyone is quick to jump on the batters but you've got to notice the good bowling from both sides."Ngidi, meanwhile, insisted South Africa were still in the game."It's in the balance right now," he said. "Two wickets in hand, if we can knock those over and maybe chase 225, people are going to get their money's worth."Rabada, who had taken 5-51 in the first innings, tormented Australia again with two wickets in the 11th had Usman Khawaja caught behind for six and, two balls later, removed Cameron Green for a duck following the number three's four in the first continued to tumble after quick Jansen had Marnus Labuschagne, in his first Test as an opener, caught behind for Australia's 44-3 became 48-4 next over when Beau Webster, who top-scored in Australia's first innings with 72, fell lbw to Ngidi.- 'Led from the front' -Australia were reeling at 73-7 after Cummins was bowled off his pad by an excellent Ngidi Carey and Starc led a defiant response that kept their side on course to retain the Cummins finished with figures of 6-28 as he reached 300 career Test wickets and secured a coveted place on the Lord's honours board with a five-wicket haul."He does it time and time again," said Starc of Cummins. "He led from the front before he was captain and now as captain as well."The quality and skills he has in his pocket -- I'm thrilled for him to get a bagful. To go to 300 is a special effort."South Africa lost their last five wickets for 12 runs as Cummins ripped through the batting South Africa captain Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45) offered meaningful resistance during a fifth-wicket stand of lunch, Cummins struck four times in a mere 17 balls of devastating pace Africa had resumed on Thursday at 43-4, battling to put enough runs on the who faced 37 balls for his overnight three not out, changed gears with a lofted cover-drive for four off left-arm quick Starc before pulling Cummins for had his revenge, however, when Bavuma's checked drive was brilliantly caught at cover by a diving then dismissed Kyle Verreynne lbw for 13 and, three balls later, held a simple return catch as Jansen fell for a Australia skipper ended the innings with his 300th Test wicket, Rabada well caught low down at deep square leg by Beau Webster.
The Hindu
20 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Pat Cummins scripts history with 6/28 in WTC final
Australia skipper Pat Cummins etched his name into the record books with a sensational spell of fast bowling, claiming 6/28 against South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) final on Thursday at Lord's. With this performance, Cummins not only helped Australia bowl out South Africa for a paltry 138, giving them a crucial 74-run first-innings lead, but also achieved multiple historic milestones. Cummins became only the eighth-highest wicket-taker for Australia in Test cricket, reaching the 300-wicket mark in just 68 matches. This feat also included his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Speaking after bundling the Proteas, Cummins reflected on the performance and the records, saying, ' It's great, got some family as well here, which is nice. Came out after lunch with them looking good and bowled well. Pretty happy to have a decent lead at the moment. It's way more than I could have asked for, for any fast bowler 300 is a big number, niggles, injuries and played for a long time, so pretty happy. When the ball is soft, it's easier to bat but it still feels like the odd ball is nipping, feel we bowled well.' In achieving this fifer, Cummins broke a 33-year-old record held by England's Bob Willis, who had the best bowling figures by a captain at Lord's with 6/101 against India in 1992. Cummins now holds that record with his 6/28, setting a new benchmark at the iconic venue. Moreover, Cummins created another unique record, becoming the only Aussie captain in fact, the only captain in general with a five-wicket haul in an ICC tournament knockout and final. Under his captaincy, Cummins has now claimed 15 wickets across ICC finals and knockout matches, highlighting his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Goal disallowed, India lose 1-2 to Argentina for fourth straight defeat in FIH Pro League
India's late goal from penalty was disallowed in dramatic circumstances and Jugraj Singh failed to score after it was retaken as they lost 1-2 to Argentina for their fourth successive defeat in the European leg of FIH Pro League hockey here on Thursday. Drag-flicker Jugraj struck in the fourth minute off the first penalty corner of the match to give India the lead but Tomas Domene (9th and 49th) scored a brace, both from PCs, to hand Argentina the win. Down 1-2 in the fourth and final quarter, India earned a penalty stroke two minutes from the final hooter and Jugraj was successful in sounding the board. Argentina asked for a video referral on the ground that Jugraj's left foot was well ahead of the ball while he took the stroke. The video umpire ruled in Argentina's favour but India captain Hardik Singh asked the referee to check whether the Argentina goalkeeper Tomas Santiago was already ahead of the goal-line before Jugraj took the stroke. This time, India got a favourable decision from the video umpire. Jugraj was allowed to retake the stroke but his shot was saved this time by Santiago. India's regular captain Harmanpreet Singh missed the game due to a finger tissue injury sustained in the previous match. In his absence, vice-captain Hardik led the team. Argentina got as many as eight PCs while India earned just three. Before the start of the match, the two teams observed a minute's silence to pay respect to the victims of the tragic crash of the London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew in Ahmedabad earlier in the day. Argentina started the game with high pressing and greater ball possession, but India responded with sharp passing and swift circle entries. This early momentum earned India a penalty corner, which Jugraj converted with a powerful drag flick to hand them the lead in the fourth minute. Argentina quickly earned a penalty corner of their own, but Indian goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak stood tall, making a crucial save. Moments later, Pathak was called into action again, diving to deny another Argentine penalty corner. However, the Argentines got third time lucky as Domene fired home to level the score in the ninth minute. The first quarter ended evenly poised at 1-1. The second quarter saw Argentina pushing forward with early circle entries, but India's defence held firm to thwart their advances. India responded by intercepting passes and launching speedy counter-attacks, putting pressure on Argentina's goalkeeper Santiago, who stood his ground with key saves. Argentina, too, found themselves in promising positions but failed to convert their chances. Despite the end-to-end action, neither side could break the deadlock in the second quarter, and the teams went into half time with the score still level at 1-1. The third quarter saw both teams adopting a cautious approach, focusing on maintaining possession and controlling the tempo of the game. Much of the action unfolded in the midfield, with both India and Argentina finding it difficult to penetrate each other's defensive lines. As a result, clear-cut chances were few and far between, and neither side managed to create any substantial threats in the attacking circle. The evenly contested third quarter ended without any change to the scoreline. Argentina came out strong in the fourth and final quarter, applying relentless pressure on India's defence with aggressive pressing. Their efforts soon bore fruit as Domene struck his second goal of the match in the 49th minute, once again converting a penalty corner to give Argentina a 2-1 lead. Trailing for the first time in the game, India shifted to a long-passing strategy in search of an equaliser. However, Argentina remained compact at the back, successfully absorbing the pressure and denying India any clear breakthroughs. India's best opportunity came in the dying moments when they were awarded a penalty stroke with less than two minutes left on the clock. Jugraj first scored from the stroke, but it was disallowed and he failed to score on the retake. As a result of the loss, India now sit fifth in the points table with 15 points from 12 matches. They will next play against Australia on June 14. India had lost to the same opponents 3-4 on Wednesday. Before that, India had lost 1-2 and 2-3 to Olympic champions Netherlands here during this European tour of the Pro League. This was India's fourth and last match here, and they will now travel to Antwerp in Belgium to face formidable Australia on Saturday.
