Brendon McCullum has insisted England’s best chance of turning the tide in India is to keep trusting in their methods despite a humbling defeat in Rajkot.
Michael Vaughan described a 434-run loss in the third Test – their heaviest by runs since 1934 – as a “wake-up call”, while Nasser Hussain argued “tweaks” to the “Bazball” approach are a must.
The suggestions of two former England captains are likely to fall on deaf ears as McCullum sticks to his guns despite going 2-1 down in a five-match series which resumes in Ranchi on Friday.
McCullum, who has won 14 of 21 Tests as England head coach after taking charge of a team triumphant in one of their preceding 17, said putting limitations in place can only have a disruptive effect.
“The positivity and confidence within the environment needs to remain,” McCullum said. “If we do that we give ourselves the best opportunity to bounce back.
“That messaging that comes from myself and the skipper will never change regardless of how we’re going. I don’t want our guys to ever doubt themselves otherwise we go back to where it was beforehand.
“When you start retreating a little bit you’re living and dying every day by your results and that’s not what this team is about.
Joe Root reacts after been given out lbw to Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
“This team is about trying to keep pushing the game forward, to try and entertain and ultimately win. It didn’t work this time but you can only do that by providing an environment where the guys feel safe and feel they can take on the world.”
Joe Root is yet to reach 30 in this series, while fellow Yorkshireman Jonny Bairstow is also struggling.
“I don’t have concerns over [Bairstow], ” said McCullum. “I’m not blind but he’s done so well for us. We know that a top-quality Jonny Bairstow is as good as anyone in any conditions so we’ve got to keep on giving him confidence and block out a lot of the external noise.
“Joe will be fine. He just has to keep backing himself and wait for the luck to turn his way.
“The fact he’s missed out in three Tests, does that surely not just mean that he’s closer to getting a big score? It’s Joe Root. I mean, seriously? The law of averages suggests he’ll fill his boots in the next two Tests.”
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
That Test in the Ashes where both sides bowled short continuously was awful and the umpires lost control of the series from that point with the bogus requests (from on side) costing Australia a series win
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
This was the Pommie version of "hit out or get out". Problem wa, not enough did the first and too many did the second. If you're an England supporters it was terri-ball. Or horri-ball. :laughing:
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
They have a great win/loss ratio but not the tight big ones like the Ashes. They haven’t been in the Test Cricket final. It’s all a bit hollow.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I didn’t see any of that Bazball in Englands second innings? It was more incapaball or susceptiball.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I agree, it's their way for not being accountable for their results.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Madness!
jameswm
Roar Guru
"When you start retreating a little bit you’re living and dying every day by your results and that’s not what this team is about". So (1) entertaining and (2) not doubting yourself are more important than winning? There are some odd comments.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Don, now you’re being obtuse. :laughing:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Bazball isnt slog and hope. Its play positively. Most top sides play that way anyway so this morbid facination with a silly nickname is crazy.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
"You've got acute angina," said the doctor to the woman who smiled back coyly...but quite proudly.
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
Oh, and India cut off singles to the openers and pushed England in the second dig to score boundaries. Slow run rate, tentative shots and a mix up for a run out was the result. How about we give them the credit for not sticking eight blokes on the boundary after the fourth ball of the innings?
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
I think he's right, India is a place where you really get rewarded for attacking. Yes Root played a terrible shot but he just needs to pick the shot for the conditions rather than dial down the aggression. They shouldn't be talking about Bazball tactics but the basics. Too many dropped catches and poor running between the wickets is costing them dearly. And no matter what your tactics, those things'll hurt you every time.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Hazlitt, an English Philosopher? Good lord, Haimish, l had no idea. ------- As a kid l first came across the incongruence of England by finding out that they made cars .... of a sort. Only their women and music is any good
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Winning doesn’t matter. It’s the spirit !
Panthers
Roar Rookie
The last pitch was turning at an obtuse angle , does he need an acute angle with the amount of turn?
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
A man of few thoughts, Mr Duckett, best,.I would think, kept to himself. The best players play that way because they can and sloppy fielding and one dimensional bowling contributes. Sure, unconventional fielding positioning looks good, but if it is not restricting runs, tying up an end, or taking catches then what good is it? Hartley looks the goods,Woods is great four overs at a time, Root is ordinary, Rehan needs another twenty tests. Anderson is mostly non-penetrative. Robinson? Lambasting awaits.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Hazlitt? Can't even spell his name properly. The Qld batsman offers far more food for thought...but I'm not hungry.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Hartley actually looks like he can bowl. He’d like a turner.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It deferred to the way England wanted to play. We should have confronted them with Australian cricket. We didn't. Boundary riders and short bowling negated all Aussie advantage. We had the edge of a bowling ball.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Commentary that calls losses "embarrassing" is...err...embarrassing. It was a contest that the other side won. Halfway through this game, the critics were praising England's approach. Then they lost and the journos all jumped off. Sports journalists need to learn about sport. Other writers do shock-jock/ gossip column stuff.