McCullum supports Archer, keeps batting order unchanged
McCullum supports Archer, keeps batting order unchanged
England head coach Brendon McCullum has backed Jofra Archer’s fiery bowling and dismissed talk of sudden changes to England’s batting order, despite pressure after the Brisbane Test defeat.
Archer drew attention on the final day of the Day-Night Test when he bowled the fastest spell of his career and exchanged words with Steve Smith, even as Australia chased a small target of 65 runs. Some critics, including James Anderson, questioned why Archer hadn’t shown the same aggression earlier when Australia piled up 511 runs in their first innings.
McCullum defended Archer, saying fast bowling can’t always be judged by speed alone. “Jofra is fine,” he explained. “If he had bowled slowly in that last innings, the story would have been very different. The captain asked the team to stay sharp and not feel sorry for themselves. We had a chance to fight back, and Jofra stepped up. It’s impossible to bowl at 150 km/h every time.”
He added that Archer’s smooth bowling action can make it look like he isn’t pushing himself, but in reality, it’s part of his control and accuracy. McCullum compared him to Dale Steyn, who also managed his pace to stay effective.
McCullum pointed out that Archer’s ability to switch gears is a strength, not a weakness. He drew parallels with past West Indian fast bowlers who used the same approach. “Jofra has been excellent, even if luck hasn’t gone his way. He’s fully committed,” McCullum said.
Beyond speed, McCullum praised Archer’s effort and commitment. “He bowled 25 overs and chased the ball hard to the boundary twice. That shows his investment and dedication. That’s what we expect from him.”
On the batting side, McCullum dismissed calls for changes despite Ollie Pope’s struggles at No.3 and Jacob Bethell waiting in the wings. “We’ve had a settled top seven for a while, and it has worked for us. These conditions should suit our batters,” he said.
He admitted England haven’t scored enough runs in the series but stressed that the problem is execution, not selection. “We’ve been in good positions but made mistakes. To win the series, we don’t need to throw away what has worked for us. We need more conviction, better discipline, and belief in our plans. Quick fixes and chopping the batting order are not our way.”