Brendon McCullum looks back on the tri-series and ahead to leading a squad down under for the first time since the Ashes.
Brendon McCullum is turning his attention back to Australia. He has been reflecting on the tri-series and on what it means to take a team down under for the first time since the Ashes.
The trip carries extra weight. Australia is a demanding place to tour, with fast, bouncy pitches, big crowds and a home side that rarely gives anything away. Going back so soon after an Ashes campaign adds a layer of scrutiny to everything his group does.
McCullum has built his reputation on bold, positive cricket, and the tri-series gives him a useful testing ground. A multi-team format means regular games against strong opposition in unfamiliar conditions, which is the sort of environment where plans get tested and new options can be tried.
For his squad, the tour is a chance to show what they have learned and to set a marker against the best on their own turf. All eyes will be on how McCullum balances his attacking approach with the realities of Australian conditions.
