Saq
The Bazball 2.0 white-ball adventure has been confirmed for early 2025, but before that England will take on Australia in a white-ball series that will run until September.
By the time Australia arrive, England will have played six Test matches, a white-ball series against Pakistan, a T20 World Cup and most of the domestic cricket season, including The Hundred.
However, appetite for England v Australia matches remains high, with many stadiums selling out despite changeable weather, in contrast to the gloomy outlook on day four of the Test match at Lord’s.
It may not command the same intensity as last summer’s Ashes, which captured the nation’s attention as England came from 2-0 down to level the series in a dramatic conclusion at the Oval, but there will always be a certain rivalry when the two teams meet on a cricket pitch.
The focus will be on the home side as they enter a rebuilding phase after being knocked out of last year’s 50-over World Cup and narrowly qualifying for the Champions Trophy, then being comfortably beaten by India in the T20 semi-final this summer.
Brendon McCullum, who has led the transformation of England’s Test fortunes, is next in line to take the white-ball job in addition to his red-ball duties, and has extended his contract until 2027, but it will be another tough task.
There are serious question marks over Jos Buttler’s leadership after England’s poor recent performances but McCullum has decided to stick with the wicketkeeper-batsman.
“I’m very confident (in Buttler as captain),” McCullum said at the Oval just days after his appointment was announced.
“When I started with the Test team, (Ben) Stokes and I knew each other, we had a natural respect for each other, but I wouldn’t say we were friends.
“What we have developed over the last two years is a very close friendship to the point that I call him a very close companion.
“Actually, Jos and I are starting from a more solid base. We know each other, we are friends, we have similar playing styles. What I expect from Jos is that he enjoys the next few years.”
McCullum added: “He’s been a bit unfortunate at times… I think he’s not as vocal as some people can be. But I think he’s done a good job, haven’t you? He’s won a World Cup as captain.”
“He’s already been part of a team that won the World Cup. He’s an incredibly gifted player. He’s a great leader.”
“My job is to get the best out of him so that everybody sitting in the dressing room feels like they can be 10 feet tall and safe from the bullets when they go out to play, and they know the captain is going to give them that extra pat on the back and enjoy the journey with them. So it’s a big challenge.”
Buttler, who turns 34 in September, will miss all three T20Is and is a doubt for the following five ODIs against Australia due to a calf injury that ruled him out of the Hundred and has affected him since July.
England’s T20s against Australia will be a chance to see what the team looks like without Buttler at the helm. Marcus Trescothick is interim head coach and Phil Salt will captain the team, for a tough challenge against a side that won the World Cup by 50 runs a year ago. England remain in transition but sign five new players and get rid of Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow.
“We have to recognise that the white-ball team has been a dynasty, since Eoin Morgan came in they’ve won a couple of World Cups, we’ve seen some unique players come through,” McCullum said.
“Some players come in towards the end and there’s a natural regeneration and that’s what excites me the most, in English cricket, particularly in white-ball, they’ve learned from those once-in-a-generation players… so it’s a big compliment to them and I think we’ve got opportunities to bring in some of that talent and mix it with the guys who have experience and have been part of that success.
“We’re trying to bring the positivity and style that I like to work with across all formats and I think that will give us a good chance of success.”
Saq
