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Sport Nation
The Live Sport Bible is here!McCullum optimistic yet skeptical for Lord's Test
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • June 4th, 2026 5:34 pm
England coach Brendon McCullum | Photo: AP
Brendon McCullum believes his English cricket side is well equipped as they prepare to face the Blackcaps in the first Test at Lord's starting Thursday.
The former New Zealand captain told Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy that “we know the conditions well, playing at home, we know the pitches, we're well planned, we're prepared tactically, but it's always about how you deal with the pressure moments.”
He noted England's aggressive style remains unchanged, but his team has focused on staying calm when matches are in the balance.
“It's an area we haven't necessarily been at our best, but it's an area we've identified we want to improve and try and give the guys a necessary skill set and information so that they can remain calm and start to plot and plan their way through those.”
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McCullum however noted that the Blackcaps can stay composed when things become difficult.
"Their performances over the last 15 years have been excellent," he said. "They're a team who do simple things really well for a long period of time."
He described them as a highly respected side in England, with a proven record on the world stage, noting “we've got a big job in front of us.”
“Their batting is experienced, their bowling is full of optimism, variety and quality and we're going to have to find ways to navigate through that.”
With the Blackcaps boasting one of its most exciting pace attacks in recent years, England will look to make an early statement in the series opener at the ‘Home of Cricket’.
Listen to the full interview below:
