Sports · Cricket · 14 hrs ago
McCullum backs England to handle Perth's pace and bounce
England coach Brendon McCullum says his batters are ready for Perth's short-ball challenge in the one-day international series against Australia.
England beat Western Australia by 92 runs in their only warm-up match before the three-game series begins Friday.
Perth's fast, bouncy conditions matter because England lost the Ashes opener there inside two days last year.
Australia will be without pace bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, who are being rested.
England fast bowler Jofra Archer took three wickets in the warm-up, while spinner Adil Rashid claimed four.
Australia are looking to recover from a heavy defeat in South Africa, as renewed debate about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal adds an off-field distraction.
The ODI series will be followed by five Twenty20 internationals.
Brendon McCullum said England are prepared to counter Australia's short-ball attack in the first one-day international at Perth Stadium.
England beat Western Australia by 92 runs in a warm-up match at the WACA Ground on Saturday.
McCullum said England's batters are capable of scoring against short balls.
Jofra Archer took 3-34 in the warm-up, while Adil Rashid claimed 4-35.
Australia are resting Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc for the series.
- Who
- England, coached by Brendon McCullum, and Australia.
- What
- England are preparing for a three-match one-day international series. McCullum said his batters can handle Perth's pace and bounce.
- When
- The series begins on Friday, after England's warm-up match on Saturday.
- Where
- Perth Stadium and the WACA Ground in Perth, Australia.
- Why
- McCullum said the short ball can be a weapon at Perth, but England's batters can find ways to score against it.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
England beat Western Australia by 92 runs in a warm-up match at the WACA Ground.
The three-match one-day international series is due to begin.
- Warm-up result
- England beat Western Australia by 92 runs
- Series format
- Three one-day internationals
- Venue
- Perth Stadium
- Jofra Archer
- 3-34 in the warm-up match
- Adil Rashid
- 4-35 in the warm-up match
- Australia's rested pace trio
- Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc
What people are saying
Our boys are all very good players of the short ball.
When you come here with the bigger boundaries, the short ball is always a weapon for a bowler. You've still got to find ways to score off it, you can't just keep going under it.