England head coach Brendon McCullum rated the just-concluded five-match Test series against England as the best five-match Test series he ever witnessed. India headed into this series trailing 2-1 and managed to level the series nothing up a brilliant win at The Oval.
England needed 35 runs to win the final Test, but it was the Indian bowlers who managed to pick up the final four wickets as they won the match by just six runs.
Mohammed Siraj rattling Gus Atkinson’s stumps sent the Indian contingent of fans at The Oval into overdrive as they celebrated an incredible Test victory, one which will be long remembered.
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Tested Both Teams More Than We Expected - Brendon McCullum
Siraj took three out of the final four wickets to fall on the fifth day as India drew level in the series. He ended the series with 23 wickets, the most by any bowler in this series.
Meanwhile, speaking to Sky Sports, Brendon McCullum reflected back on the Test series, saying that this is the greatest ever five-Test series he has ever been a part of.
“That is the best five-match Test series I have ever been a part of and witnessed. It just oscillated so much right throughout the six weeks and I felt it had everything. I thought there was hostility at times, camaraderie at times, great cricket at times, there was some average cricket because of the pressure they were put under. We knew it was going to be hard coming into the series, we knew they were going to test us physically and mentally. I think it tested both teams more than we expected. It was a cracking series to be a part of and when Siraj took that final wicket, as much I was disappointed, I had admiration for him and the fight he has got as a cricketer and the way he was able to do what he did. I think 2-2 was a fair reflection” McCullum told Sky Sports.
The England head coach looked back at the missed opportunities by the Indian players after England were well-positioned to win the Test match at 339 runs for six wickets. Wickets of Joe Root and Jacob Bethell late on day 4 started shifting the tide of the match in India’s favour.
“You are always going to have missed opportunities throughout a series. India will probably look back at some opportunities they had- maybe in their first Test at Headingley. Even at Lord’s. The natural rhythm of a game will always serve up certain situations. Even last night, we had (Harry) Brook and (Joe) Root playing as well as they were. For India to come back and take 7-60, it is another great example of what can happen in this great game we play,” McCullum said.
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McCullum Backs Bazball In Test Cricket
He concluded by backing their “Bazball” style of play in Test cricket, saying that it gives them the best chance of winning Test matches. England scored at a strike rate of 4.81 and 4.30 in the two innings of the Oval Test.
“I think when we move away from our style of cricket, that is when we become vulnerable and our wicket-taking drops. I think if we stay true to what we believe in, backing it, and almost double down on the philosophy it gives us our greatest opportunity. I think that is what we were able to do at Lord’s. I think with bat in hand we were brave when we needed to be. There are many different things throughout the series where we grew as a team” McCullum concluded saying.
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