It's about mindset," Brendon McCullum said on Saturday afternoon, while Pakistan's players were still celebrating on the outfield with their trophy and their fans. "It's about getting players who feel 10ft tall and bulletproof when they go out to play. It's not a matter of instructing people about what shots they can and can't play. That's got a very short shelf life. These guys are able to play the game a lot better than perhaps we could ourselves."
It is safe to say that none of his players felt 10ft tall at the time, having over the last two games of the series been reduced to rubble by the spin of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, and by the batting of Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel.
For a while in Pakistan they had stood tall, and shortly after drinks on the second day of the second Test England had over the series thus far scored a ludicrous 1,034 for nine. When Ben Stokes said that there were "many times in the last two Tests you would argue we were in front of the game and we let that slip", this was the one above all others, the moment victory was within their grasp. From there until defeat was confirmed in Rawalpindi they scored 603 for 38.
Denne historien er fra October 28, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra October 28, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Are the players at Old Trafford good enough for a new face to inspire future title challenges?
Rrik ten Hag is culled while players paid millions to realise Manchester United's on-field product remain, posting heartfelt \"thank you boss\" farewells on social media while still collecting their lucrative pay-packets.
Israeli strike on flats in northern Gaza kills at least 93
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Amorim on his way United ready to pay £8.3m for Sporting head coach
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Flekken's shootout stop spares Bees' blushes
Brentford reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after beating Sheffield Wednesday 5-4 on penalties.
Clinton shows England have generational midfield talent on their hands
It is debatable precisely how much can be gleaned from this workout against a team ranked 50th in the world who lost 5-0 to Denmark on Friday but, if England can take one certainty from this victory, it is this: in Grace Clinton, they have found a generational midfielder who they can build the team around for at least the next four major tournaments.
Wiegman's shuffled pack stumble to sloppy victory
There were more questions to be asked than answers provided in England's 2-1 win over South Africa, but, to a certain extent, friendlies are when they can afford to be far from their best.
England take a punt on Bethell for NZ tour
Warwickshire's Jacob Bethell appears to be England's latest punt, with the 21-year-old batter named in the 16-man Test squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.
New Test keeper Cox will not don gloves in West Indies white-ball series
The new England Test wicketkeeper Jordan Cox will not take the gloves against West Indies after being told to \"concentrate on his batting\" for the white-ball series.
Head coach opts for continuity but wants a fast and furious England to face the All Blacks
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