Brendon McCullum. (Photo Source: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
England head coach Brendon McCullum believes that the surface in Hyderabad will assist the spinners in the first Test of the five-match series. The visitors had their first training session on January 22, in which, Ben Stokes was spotted batting against the spinners, while Ben Foakes was involved in keeping drills. They have come to India after a preparatory camp in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and will have at least one more practice session before playing the first Test on January 25.
Speaking about the surface at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, McCullum mentioned that the pitch might not turn from Day 1 but will assist the spinners massively. He added that it will be a huge factor throughout the series and that’s when their practice in UAE will come in handy.
“It looked good. It looks like it’s going to spin. It may not turn right from the word go, but you’d think at some stage it will turn and I’m sure spin will be a huge factor throughout the series,” McCullum was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
There will be many eyeballs, India is a land of opportunity: McCullum
McCullum understands the challenge of playing a Test series in India but is eager to prove a point. He mentioned that many eyeballs across the globe will be on them as it will not be easy for them to play an aggressive brand of cricket in the spin-friendly conditions in India. Despite so, the former cricketer is ready to take on the challenge and stated that India is a land of opportunity and that England will not change their way of playing.
“When we started out on this journey a fair while ago we wanted to provide as much entertainment as we possibly can. We felt that gave us the best chance as well. What better stage to do it on – against India, in India? There’ll be many eyeballs watching around the world and it’s a huge opportunity for us.
“India is the land of opportunity, and that’s what sits in front of us now. That’s the exciting thing. how long the games go, I’ve no idea but I’m sure both teams will stick to their respective styles. Throughout the Ashes, it was two heavyweights going at it with different styles, and I expect it to be the same in this series,” the 42-year-old said.