Former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum yesterday said that patriotic cricket fans would forgive him for coaching England against New Zealand, as long as the two sides deliver an entertaining clash.
“I guess so, but it’s nice to be here,” he told reporters in Hamilton when asked if it felt odd to wear England’s cricket kit in his native New Zealand. “We’re looking forward to the challenge in front of us with New Zealand.”
The 41-year-old retired from Test cricket in 2016 having scored nearly 6,500 runs for New Zealand in 101 Tests, including 12 centuries.
Photo: AFP
Born in Dunedin, McCullum has enjoyed a dream start since taking over as England coach in May last year.
He helped engineer a home series win against South Africa plus a clean sweep of three Tests in Pakistan.
There was also a famous Test win against India at Edgbaston in July last year, when England chased down a record 378 while losing just three wickets — as well as a 3-0 series win over New Zealand on English soil a month earlier.
“It’s been a good start, definitely. Results have been great,” McCullum said.
Next up is his first tour in New Zealand as England coach with two Tests against the Black Caps starting next week.
McCullum does not expect a hostile reception from the crowds.
“It should be alright, I would think. Obviously people are patriotic,” he said. “Even if sometimes your own team doesn’t win, you still walk away knowing you have had a hell of a day out. Hopefully that will be the case during this series.”
INDIA-AUSTRALIA
AFP, NAGPUR, India
India spinner Ravindra Jadeja yesterday grabbed a five-wicket haul on his international return to help bowl out Australia for 177 on the opening day of the first Test.
Jadeja returned figures of 5-47 and fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets as the Australia innings folded in the final session on a turning Nagpur pitch.
Jadeja’s wickets included top-scorers Marnus Labuschagne (49) and Steve Smith (37).
India in reply reached 77-1 at stumps.
Additional reporting by staff writer
ZIMBABWE-WINDIES
AP, BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s lower-order batters on Wednesday held out in the final session of the last day, including a 36-ball zero from Wellington Masakadza, to force a draw in the first Test against the West Indies.
The hosts finished on 134-6 after being set 272 to win.
West Indies openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul had resumed the day at 21-0 in the second innings and the visitors went on to declare at 203-5 soon after lunch.
Zimbabwe were praised for accepting the challenge and going for the win before finding themselves in trouble.
“To see Zimbabwe come back and force their way back into the game, and pushing for victory, says a lot about Test cricket,” Brathwaite said. “I believe Test cricket is alive. For the players, Test cricket is about fighting for their country. Zimbabwe did that, that’s Test cricket for you.”
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