By Rohit - February 14, 2025 07:22 PMEngland's head coach, Brendon McCullum, has firmly refuted claims by former cricketers Ravi Shastri and Kevin Pietersen that the England team neglected training during their recent ODI series against India. McCullum labeled these assertions as "factually incorrect," emphasizing that the team maintained a consistent training regimen throughout the tour.
The criticism arose during commentary in the third ODI, where Shastri and Pietersen suggested that, apart from Joe Root, England's players had not participated in net sessions during the series. Addressing these remarks, McCullum stated, "Firstly, it's factually incorrect, the whole statement that we don't train. We've trained plenty right throughout; guys have come from a lot of cricket as well. I think it's an easy thing to have as a throwaway line that guys don't train enough when the results aren't right."
McCullum further explained that the decision to adjust training sessions was influenced by injury concerns within the squad. Key players, including Jacob Bethell (hamstring) and Jamie Smith (calf), faced injuries, prompting the coaching staff to prioritize player fitness and readiness for upcoming fixtures, notably the ICC Champions Trophy. He elaborated, "We've got a style and a method that we believe in. We've got guys who are battling injuries and trying to make sure that we've got enough bodies out on the field, knowing that we've got a huge assignment coming up in a week or two."
England's captain, Jos Buttler, also addressed the criticism, asserting that the team's environment is far from "lazy" and that the players are committed to performing and improving. He remarked, "We've had a reasonably long tour, a few long travel days. There have been a couple of times we have not trained, but we have done plenty of training throughout the tour. We try to create a really good environment but don't mistake that for a lazy environment or lack of effort. The guys are desperate to perform and do well and improve."
Despite the series losses, McCullum remains optimistic about England's prospects in the upcoming Champions Trophy. The team plans to hold three training sessions in Pakistan before their opening match against Australia on February 22. McCullum emphasized the importance of maintaining belief and team unity, stating, "Ultimately, you're judged on results... From our point of view, we've got to strip away the fear of failure that results can bring."
In summary, McCullum and Buttler have robustly defended England's training practices, attributing any adjustments to injury management and strategic planning, and have dismissed the criticisms as unfounded.
Also Read: ICC Announces Practice Matches and Schedule for Champions Trophy 2025
