Hard hitting BLACKCAP Brendon McCullum doesn’t believe that facing three of Australia’s fast bowlers in their warm-up test last week will mean too much when they play against them again tomorrow.
Australia trio James Pattinson, Ben Cutting and Mitchell Star are vying for two spots for today’s opening Test, with the third to be 12th man. They were all a part of the Australia A bowling attack that was presented to the Kiwi’s last week.
Due to injuries striking Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, and Pat Cummins, they have all been added to the Australian squad for the first team, but Brendon McCullum knows it will be a different ball game come the start of the Test.
“We expect them to bowl faster, bowl better and put us under more pressure,” said McCullum. ”We’ve got to counter that, put them under pressure and see how they react with a little bit of pressure on their shoulders.”
It is being billed as one of the tightest Trans-Tasman affairs in recent history with considerable hype surrounding the Gabba Test. McCullum, however, thinks the mind-games and media will be quickly forgotten once the Test gets under way.
“Ultimately it’s what happens when you walk out on the park the first day and we’re mindful of that. We’re very much driven by what we can achieve.”
McCullum believes the team that plays their natural game and to their limitations will have the edge.
“If you’re an aggressive player then be aggressive. If you’re a defensive player or someone who likes to be a bit more patient, then make sure you execute in those areas and that’s what’s going to win us a test.”
McCullum will be an integral part of how successful the BLACKCAPS are in this Test match. The Otago based opener admits that he would like to bat first if they won the toss to help calm the nerves. With the form himself and the rest of the New Zealand batting line up have been in of late, not too many people would be upset if he got his wish.
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