‘We are a very good team on flat wickets’: Brendon McCullum says England struggle to adapt but have ‘no excuses’ for Ashes 2025
Ahead of the 2025 Ashes in Australia, head coach Brendon McCullum admitted that England have found it difficult to adjust and compete in overseas conditions that challenge their batting and bowling. He described his side as performing remarkably well when playing on flat pitches but struggling when the surface offers seam, swing, or spin.
The team’s home strategy under the so-called Bazball approach has relied heavily on dominating visiting sides on flatter tracks, often forcing opponents into defensive positions. Despite flashes of brilliance, England have yet to convert this style into major tournament victories.
In limited-overs cricket, England have endured a severe dip in form since the last World Cup. They were whitewashed 0–3 in New Zealand after failing to bat through the full 50 overs in any of the three ODIs. Since the 2023 tournament, the side has dropped six of seven series, including four outside England.
“With the prep that we’ve had with the other Test guys who’ve been here for a while too, we’ll have no excuses come Australia,”
“We are a very, very good team on flat wickets,”
McCullum emphasized that there would be no excuses when England meet Australia in the first Ashes Test in Perth on November 21, acknowledging both his team’s strengths and their ongoing struggle to adapt to varied conditions.
Author Summary
Brendon McCullum admits England excel mainly on flat pitches but insists his team cannot rely on excuses as the 2025 Ashes in Australia approach.