Michael Atherton Critiques McCullum’s Comments
Michael Atherton has described Brendon McCullum’s assertion that England “overprepared” before their loss in the second Ashes Test as “a bit tone deaf,” suggesting it may have frustrated fans.
England has suffered significant defeats in the initial two matches of the Ashes series against Australia and is now facing a crucial Test in Adelaide starting December 17.
Following their eight-wicket loss in Brisbane, McCullum, England’s head coach, stated that the “five intense training days” prior to the match might have been counterproductive.
In a discussion on the latest episode of the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Atherton voiced his opinion on McCullum’s comments, particularly as the team’s preparations have been heavily scrutinized by the media. He noted, “It will annoy England fans because they see a team that isn’t playing a lot and not practicing effectively.”
Atherton explained that the extended training time arose from the early conclusion of the first Test and the decision not to travel to Canberra, suggesting that while extra practice can be beneficial, it might dull the players’ edge. He acknowledged McCullum’s intent but felt his remarks were somewhat misaligned with the fans’ sentiments.
England’s approach to the away series has faced criticism, especially after they engaged in a two-day game against the England Lions prior to the first Test and fielded a different XI for a pink-ball match against the Prime Minister’s XI before the second Test.
With the team scheduled for a relaxing break in Noosa, Atherton mentioned the inevitable backlash from local media, saying, “It’s expected if you’re 2-0 down, but they need some downtime. They’ve got to be able to laugh and clear their minds before training resumes.”
