'Toss ke bad hi innings declare kar dege?' - Fans react to Brendon McCullum's 'we'll go a little harder' remark ahead of 2nd Ashes Test 2023

Brendon McCullum (Source: Twitter)

In a thrilling encounter at Edgbaston in the first Test of the Ashes 2023, Australia put all the 'Bazball' hype to rest by winning by two wickets and claiming a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The Three Lions did not back down from their approach and gave their all, but ended up on the losing side as Aussies skipper Pat Cummins batted out of his skin to cross the finish line on Day 5.

However, amid the criticism surrounding Ben Stokes' first innings declaration and their aggressive play, coach Brendon McCullum has stated that they would continue to play the same way. Speaking to BBC Sport before the second Test, McCullum said England would go harder on Australia at Lord’s.

"I'm sure they'll stick to that strategy, which is great because we'll go a little harder. The way that we played validated our style of play. If we'd have got a little bit of the rub of the green, then we might have been on the other side of it,” said McCullum.

"The guys are proud of the efforts that they put in, and I'm sure we'll go to Lord's with a lot of confidence. We always want to try to take the game forward. We want to try to seize opportunities where we think we can put opposition teams under pressure,” he added.

"Hopefully, he'll come right for the next one": McCullum hopes Moeen Ali will play 2nd Test

Meanwhile, the England Test coach is hopeful that spin bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali, who suffered a finger injury during Australia's first innings, will be fit to play at Lord's. Despite the injury, Moeen bowled 33 overs in the first innings and took two wickets but conceded 147 runs.

"Moeen did a fabulous job. He loves being back playing Test cricket. Hopefully, he'll come right for the next one. I'm pretty confident that over the next few days, we can get on top of Mo's finger, and that'll give us an opportunity to select him in the next game," said McCullum.

Here's how fans reacted to Brendon McCullum's statement ahead of the second Ashes Test: 

Australia have great record record at lord's, it would be difficult. Also does bazball means throwing wickets? There were so many unnecessary wicketS trown in the 3 rd innings, they could have batted Australia out of the game if they didn't do that.

— Sameer (@545_sameerk) June 22, 2023

Breaking news: a loosing home team will go harder on winning team in 2nd test after losing the first one

— Swapnanil (@Swapnanilchatt2) June 22, 2023

By declaring at 350/5 ?

— Raghu (@raghucse) June 22, 2023

Matlab ab 3 din me haarna hai.

— Naveen (@_naveenish) June 22, 2023

Iska matlab toss ke bad hi inning declare kar dege?

— Nikhil Yadav (@NikhilY_14) June 22, 2023

Declaration before lunch coming.

— 𝕾𝖆𝖚𝖗𝖆𝖇𝖍 (@SaurabhKulkrni) June 22, 2023

The best thing about Australia and England is always their mindset. Winning mindset matters the most , loss or win is a 2nd thing.

— Luke Skywalker (@Siddhar47354588) June 22, 2023

Won't work against the quality side like Australia. They knw hw to accept and give back.

— Parthasarathy (@Partha1403) June 22, 2023

Harder means they want to get all out in just two sessions on the first day😎

— Shoeb शोएब شوعيب (@themdshoeb) June 22, 2023

Bazball after losing the series. pic.twitter.com/TheOaby7EB

— Aam Admi (@sidhutripathy) June 22, 2023