Brendon Maccullum - players.bio

"Looks Like An Absolute Belter": Ben Stokes On Dharamsala Pitch Ahead Of 5th Test

England captain Ben Stokes called the Dharamsala pitch an absolute belter and that is the main reason why he did not pick an extra pacer for the fifth and final Test against India starting on Thursday. Dharamsala is colder than usual for this time of the year keeping the pacers interested but considering no grass has been left on the surface, the England batters are licking their lips. Bringing in Mark Wood for Ollie Robinson was the only change England made to their playing eleven.

India's Predicted XI vs England 5th Test: Devdutt Padikkal To Replace Rajat Patidar?

The Rohit Sharma-led Team India is all set to take on England in the fifth and final Test of the five-match series, starting March 7 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala. The Anthony de Mello Trophy has already been clinched by India as they head into the fifth match of the series with a 3-1 lead. England began the series on a winning note at Hyderabad. However, India bounced back with three successive wins to hand England their first Test series defeat since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took charge as coach and captain, respectively.

"Used Pitch From Ranji Trophy": Jonny Bairstow's Massive Take Ahead Of Dharamsala Test

With the fifth and final Test of the closely-contested series between India and England slated to start on March 7, wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow has said that playing his 100th long-format match means "hell of a lot" England's fifth game against India at Dharamshala will mark Bairstow's 100th Test appearance after head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed his place in the playing XI. The 34-year-old has been underwhelming in the series as he has amassed just 170 runs in four Test matches. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Bairstow talked about the pitch at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium and said that it's a used wicket from the Ranji Trophy match.

"Not Going To Be Easy Beating India At Home": Spin Legend Slams Bazball

India's home supremacy weathered the 'Bazball' storm as Rohit Sharma's men secured a hard-fought five-wicket win over England in the fourth and penultimate Test for a 17th consecutive series triumph in their own backyard on Monday, handing a harsh reality check to the visitors' unidimensional approach. Following the victory, former India captain and spin legend Anil Kumble slammed Bazball and stated that it is never going to be easy to beat India at home. The term 'Bazball' is derived from 'Baz', the nickname of Brendon McCullum, who is the head coach of England's Test team since May 2022.

"We've Lost Here But...": Brendon McCullum Issues Huge 'Bazball' Statement

England cricket team head coach Brendon McCullum continued to show his support for 'Bazball' despite his team losing the five-match Test series against India. The visitors won the first match in Hyderabad but ended up losing three matches in a row with experts and fans criticising their style of play and questioning their ability to adapt according to situations. However, McCullum said that they have improved over the last 18 months and added they are capable of doing "some special shit".

"Reckless And Too Cocky": England Great Criticises Ben Stokes And Co. After Test Series Loss To India

India on Monday defeated England by five wickets in the Ranchi Test to take an unassailable lead of 3-1 in the five-match series. Despite trailing 0-1, the host team put on a brilliant comeback to seal the series with a match to go. Meanwhile, it was the first series defeat for captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum since they took charge in 2022 and changed England's fortunes with their attacking philosophy dubbed 'Bazball'. Getting critical of the team's approach, England's legendary batter Geoffrey Boycott said that the batting cost the Three Lions the series.

'Bazball Or Whatever Ball You Call It': India Great's Dig At Ben Stokes And Co's Misfiring England

The Indian cricket team sealed a memorable series win against England with a five-wicket victory in Ranchi in the fourth Test. Despite top stars like Jasprit Bumrah missing from action, the young guns under Rohit Sharma galvanised into a pack of powerful performers. Though England looked in control in phases of the game, India were able wrest control with youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel stepping up in the series. India's performance has put a question mark on England's Bazball strategy, as they have now lost the first series since the ultra-aggressive approach by coach Brendon McCullum.

Watch: Rahul Dravid's Emotional Celebration Says It All After Series Win Against England

India defeated England by five wickets in the fourth Test and gained an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. Chasing 192 on Day 4, India lost five wickets with 120 runs on the board. However, Shubman Gill (52*) and Dhruv Jurel (39*) struck an important 84-run partnership and took the hosts across the line. The victory marked India's 17th consecutive Test series win at home while it was England's first series loss in the tenure of their head coach Brendon McCullum.

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Brendon Maccullum Sport News

"Looks Like An Absolute Belter": Ben Stokes On Dharamsala Pitch Ahead Of 5th Test

India's Predicted XI vs England 5th Test: Devdutt Padikkal To Replace Rajat Patidar?

"Used Pitch From Ranji Trophy": Jonny Bairstow's Massive Take Ahead Of Dharamsala Test

"Not Going To Be Easy Beating India At Home": Spin Legend Slams Bazball

"We've Lost Here But...": Brendon McCullum Issues Huge 'Bazball' Statement

"Reckless And Too Cocky": England Great Criticises Ben Stokes And Co. After Test Series Loss To India

'Bazball Or Whatever Ball You Call It': India Great's Dig At Ben Stokes And Co's Misfiring England

Watch: Rahul Dravid's Emotional Celebration Says It All After Series Win Against England