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Cricket news: England coach Brendon McCullum defends play style, follow-on after 1 run loss

New Zealand’s victory after following on showed the first cracks in the famed ‘Baz-Ball’ style but England has declared it won’t stray from the attacking play in the upcoming Ashes.

Ben Horne and AFP
5 min read
March 1, 2023 - 6:26AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Pure chaos as historic Kiwis stun Poms

Brendon McCullum has promised that England will keep faith with their attacking game during the Ashes despite Tuesday’s extraordinary one-run loss to New Zealand in Wellington.

The hosts levelled a two-match series by becoming just the fourth side in 146 years of Test cricket to win after following-on.

The Basin Reserve contest will go down as an all-time classic, with England asking New Zealand to follow on 226 runs behind, only to struggle in pursuit of a target of 258.

New Zealand players celebrate their one run victory over England. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images
New Zealand players celebrate their one run victory over England. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

England, despite being denied a seventh successive victory, have won 10 out of 12 Tests since captain Ben Stokes and coach McCullum, himself a former New Zealand skipper, joined forces last year following a woeful run of one win in 17 matches at this level.

McCullum, while disliking the ‘Bazball’ reference to his nickname, was adamant there would be no let-up in England’s aggressive approach during a five-match series at home to arch-rivals Australia.

“We’ll try to play the cricket that we want,” McCullum told the BBC. “If winning is the outcome at the end, fantastic. We’re going into it with a squad that believes in one another and has a style of play which we will uphold throughout.

“If Australia are too good for us, then so be it. If they’re not, we’ll have the urn,” he added.

Stephen Harmison, commentating for Talksport radio, insisted England’s mindset was good for Test cricket as a whole given fears that fans worldwide are losing interest in the five-day game.

The former England fast bowler, a key figure in a dramatic two-run win over Australia at Edgbaston during the 2005 Ashes, said: “New Zealand may have won this Test match, but I think cricket was a winner, close second.”

Stephen Harmison was a key player in the epic 2005 Ashes series. Picture: Hamish Blair/Getty Images
Stephen Harmison was a key player in the epic 2005 Ashes series. Picture: Hamish Blair/Getty Images

There was even approval of England’s new approach from across the fence. “It’s great for Test cricket the way England are playing, and it’s good for Test cricket going forward,” said New Zealand’s winning captain Tim Southee after the game.

But given how quickly Stokes’ men score their runs -- their first innings total of 435-8 declared was compiled in fewer than 88 overs -- they could have batted again after dismissing New Zealand for 209 without compromising their beliefs.

That way England would have likely made the game safe and still given their bowlers time to take 10 second-innings wickets.

By enforcing the follow-on they provided New Zealand with their only way, however slim, back into the match.

Another question-mark over making the hosts bat again was England were a bowler ‘light’, with Stokes -- an effective medium-pacer when fit -- only delivering two overs in New Zealand’s second innings due to a persistent knee problem.

“I have a four-month period now to get it better before the Ashes because I want to be turning up in Birmingham ready to fulfil my role properly,” said Stokes.

The 31-year-old all-rounder added: “I’m not going to lie. It’s incredibly frustrating to know something is holding me back.” As it was, a partnership of 121 between first-innings century-maker Joe Root and Stokes almost saw England to victory.

But the pair might reflect on how they each succumbed to a short-ball ploy from the admirable Neil Wagner, who also ended the match by having No 11 James Anderson caught behind, that could scarcely have been clearer had the left-arm quick signalled his intention in neon lights.

Even so, England might still have won had not the in-form Harry Brook, fresh from his brilliant first-innings 186, been run out without facing a ball -- a freak dismissal the 24-year-old is unlikely to suffer again in his career.

Nevertheless, games such as this are rare and given England’s approach, a loss was always likely to be as spectacular as many of their recent wins.

“I just think everyone is appreciating this for what it is,” said Stokes. “That doesn’t mean for a second we’re not fussed about winning or losing. “We love winning, but if it doesn’t work out that way, we’ll hold our hands up and say the opposition were better than us.”

GREATEST TEST EVER? BAZBALL BLOWS UP IN HISTORIC THRILLER

Has New Zealand planted the first seed of doubt into the BazBall team stalking Australia for the Ashes, after one of the greatest wins in the history of Test cricket?

The plucky Black Caps became just the fourth team in history to win after being forced to follow on, with lion-hearted quick Neil Wagner getting England No. 11 James Anderson caught down the leg side to secure a one-run victory for the ages.

Australia’s infamous defeat at the hands of VVS Laxman and India at Kolkata in 2001 is the last time a team has lost after forcing their opponents to follow on, with Australian teams losing to England on the other two times it has happened in 1981 and 1894.

England deserve nothing but credit for the positive way they attacked what will live on as a famous Test match in Wellington, and the smiles from coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes (both kiwis) in defeat showed there were no regrets despite an agonising defeat.

However, New Zealand’s history-making triumph did prove there can be a price to pay for cavalier cricket.

England forced the game at every turn by declaring at 8-435 in the first innings, and then following the Black Caps on after the hosts were bowled out for 209.

Had they taken the more conservative approach and batted the first innings out, or set New Zealand a target – they would not have lost … but then again, would they have had time to win?

New Zealand players celebrate their one-run victory.
New Zealand players celebrate their one-run victory.

England are forging a reputation as Test cricket’s ultimate Entertainers – they play to win, but they also play to rejuvenate Test cricket and make sure no game ever stands still and that the great format never dies.

Even in dramatic, pulsating defeat, it’s still very much Australia beware. The Baz Ball juggernaut is heading your way with a billowing sail and confidence like no English team has had before.

When Ben Stokes and Joe Root were dismissed by a rampaging Wagner, and Stuart Broad followed soon after, England were almost certainly done for at eight down and still 43 runs from home.

But in a gutsy partnership between wicketkeeper Ben Foakes (35 off 57) and Jack Leach (who almost replicated his Headingley heroics against Australia with 1 not out off 31 balls), England showed they are much more than flat track front runners.

The Baz Ball juggernaut can break down on the side of the highway, refuel, and still overtake you on the highway.

Neil Wagner and Tom Blundell combine for the decisive wicket.
Neil Wagner and Tom Blundell combine for the decisive wicket.

England almost pulled it out of the fire, and Anderson was quite rightly asking why the penultimate ball of the match from Wagner wasn’t called a wide, which would have tied the match and given the visitors the series win in the two match series.

Next ball, Anderson was out and the Black Caps swarmed on Wagner in an epic show of raw sporting emotion.

The question is, will England be able to process and dismiss this defeat as part of Baz Ball, or will it linger in the backs of minds when big decisions need to be made at Ashes time?

England won more than they lost on day five in Wellington, because they were the drivers behind one of Test cricket’s great finishes.

But when the Ashes arrives you’re playing for sheep stations and it will be the ultimate test for an England side who – so far – have shown they’re brave enough to be prepared to lose to win.

Neil Wagner appeals during an incredible finish to the Test.
Neil Wagner appeals during an incredible finish to the Test.

Originally published as Cricket news: England coach Brendon McCullum defends play style, follow-on after 1 run loss

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