GEORGE DOBELL: In a message that would appear to suggest there is little room in this new England for old-school, obdurate batters, McCullum echoed Stokes' suggestion that style was more important than stats when it comes to selection
Brendon McCullum has suggested the approach of his new England will have sent "alarm bells" ringing around world cricket, as he urged his side to push even harder after a record-breaking series win over New Zealand.
Fresh from watching his new charges complete a 3-0l clean sweep over the world champions, McCullum applauded the leadership of Ben Stokes and confirmed his commitment to an approach which saw England achieve their highest scoring rate across a Test series and achieve three successive chases of more than 275.
"I hope we take it too far because then we'll know exactly where that line is," McCullum said in the aftermath of victory. "Until you do that, you're not really sure. We've seen it with the England white-ball stuff: there have been times where they've probably pushed too hard, and then they know. I think it'll be the same with us. We've got to keep exploring what that line is.
"The world Test champions were a formidable opponent to overcome and the alarm bells have probably gone off somewhat around world cricket as to how this team is going to play. We need to make sure against a different opposition we're well researched, well planned, and well prepared for that and try and roll out a similar kind of performance. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Let's enjoy the moment and see what unfolds in the next little while. It's exciting.
Brendon McCullum's England got off to a perfect start against New Zealand [Getty Images]
"I thought Stokes would be good as captain. I did. And I think the timing of him getting the captaincy is perfect as well. And I know it's early days, but he's exceeded my expectations already.
"I'm aggressive but he's got me covered, which is saying something. I'll give you an example: on the fourth evening, we needed 296 and there were 40 overs left in the day, plus the extra half hour, so 47 overs. His message to the group was 'knock this off tonight'.
"I was like "Oooff! OK!" I mean we obviously didn't knock it off that night, but it was the mentality in his message which was trying to free the guys up. It said 'we're chasing the win, don't put any sort of restrictions on yourself; just go and take the game on'.
"He's been superb. His messaging has been very consistent and very articulate as well. He doesn't speak all the time but when he does speak, it's bang on."
"I had a great time during my career. I loved it. It wasn't always beers and skittles, but it was fun and at the end you look back at where you landed and the time you had. That's why I'm so strong with my messaging: they should enjoy themselves"
In a message that would appear to suggest there is little room in this new England for old-school, obdurate batters, McCullum echoed Stokes' suggestion that style was more important than stats when it comes to selection. Asked whether there was room in the new set-up for an old-school, defensive top-order batter, McCullum confirmed it was "probably not what we're after" at present. Zak Crawley, who averaged just 14.50 in the three Tests against New Zealand, has kept his place in the squad selected to face India from Friday and looks almost certain to play.
"I just look at the players we've got and I think they fit the bill for what we're trying to achieve and the style we want to play as a team," McCullum said. "It just depends on how you look and try to play, I guess. And on the timing of their existence in cricket, too. At the moment, it's probably not what we're after but there may be a time where it is. I'm happy with what we've got at the moment, anyway."
McCullum also praised his team for the manner in which they have embraced their new style of play and suggested that, after a grim year of results, the players were "receptive to change".
"Timing is important," he said. "You have got to be ready for change. I think taking over this job when the skipper and I have there was a thirst for change. When your results haven't been good, people are more receptive to change.
McCullum's side took an aggressive approach into the series against the Kiwis [Getty Images]
"The freshness of some of the ideas, the approach, stripping out some of the noise and getting guys to play the game for the game's sake…. you still understand your obligations and responsibilities, but you just play the game.
"You enjoy the game with your mates and understand you have a very finite time as an international cricketer, so you should try and enjoy rather than being paralysed by the fear of failure or the noise. The skipper has taken them on a journey. I've tried to fill in the gaps where needed and they've got instant gratification for that change. It doesn't always happen. But that's why those guys are so keen on this style.
"I had a great time during my career. I loved it. It wasn't always beers and skittles, but it was fun and at the end you look back at where you landed and the time you had.
"That's why I'm so strong with my messaging: they should enjoy themselves. They're on the road, they need to now play the game in the way that will give them the most satisfaction to try and quieten down the other stuff.
"If you are able to do that, and you are able to have success, you build that camaraderie in the group and it's such a magic place to be. They're the memories which you create. Then you leave the game content and not wanting to go back out there and play."
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