England coach Brendon McCullum’s defiant reaction after losing Ashes opener with Bazball

England coach Brendon McCullum has responded defiantly to a first-up Ashes loss for Bazball and also regarding a player whose spot looks shaky after the series opener.

England is set to double down on its Bazball tactics from 1-0 down in the Ashes, with coach Brendon McCullum saying the hosts’ plans were validated at Edgbaston despite losing the match.

McCullum’s side was in a strong position for extended periods of the Test before Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon’s unbeaten 55-run ninth-wicket stand plucked the series opener from England’s grasp.

The decision to declare the first innings at 8-393 late on day one with Joe Root still at the crease, several rash shots across the match, and Jonny Bairstow’s wicketkeeping errors were all attributed as reasons for England’s defeat, but McCullum said if anything the match would embolden his team.

England coach Brendon McCullum, the defiant architect of Bazball. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

“I think we played our style, which is to try and take the game forward,” McCullum said.

“I thought Australia were happy playing their style as well, which ultimately led to success for them and I’m sure they’ll continue with those tactics right throughout the series. I think it’s set up to be quite a fascinating contest.

“Obviously you’d rather have won the game – that’s just the nature of sport sometimes – but I thought the way that we played, I think it’s validated our style of play as well. If we’d have got a little bit of the rub of the green then we might have been on the other side of it.

“I thought it was a cracking Test match and two very different styles of play. But like a heavyweight boxing match, not everyone has to fight the same. I thought it was a great Test match and I’m sure everyone that watched all around the world, and everyone who was here at Edgbaston as well, absolutely loved it; and that’s us included.”

Jonny Bairstow had a tough match with the wicketkeeping gloves for England. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Bairstow dropped two catches, missed a stumping and let a chance from Usman Khawaja fly between him and first slip Root early in the Australian opener’s telling second innings of 65.

It called into question the decision to pick Bairstow, who also made an aggressive 78 in the first innings, as gloveman ahead of the omitted Ben Foakes. But McCullum defended his wicketkeeper’s performance.

“I actually thought Jonny kept really well, right throughout,” McCullum said.

“If you look at the way he progressed throughout the game as well … and we know what he offers with the bat. Him coming in at No.7 is a real weapon for us as well, so I think he’ll be better for the run.

“I thought they were pretty tough mistakes, to be honest.

“I’ve kept over here before: it’s not the easiest place to keep, and when the ball is spitting and bouncing out of the rough, it can be quite difficult; and when you’ve got to stand a little bit closer on a wicket which is a bit slower and can hurry [you] a little bit, there is a risk that … those sharp edges can be a little bit more difficult.”

Originally published as England coach Brendon McCullum’s defiant reaction after losing Ashes opener with Bazball