Brendon McCullum made "brutal changes" to England Test team, sensationally claims Ollie Pope

England's Test vice-captain Ollie Pope feels that the team's head coach Brendon McCullum has made some brutal changes in the team which has helped England play an aggressive brand of cricket. Pope expressed his views on Bazball on the eve of the second Test against Sri Lanka.

Ever since Brendon McCullum joined England's Test team as their head coach, there has been a different approach by the team. The Three Lions have been aggressive and looking to take the game forward. The positive approach has resulted in some great wins.

At one time, England were in dire straits in Test cricket but Bazball has brought a fresh approach with it. Since Bazball's arrival, England have been nearly invincible at home and lost just one series so far, 1-4 to India in 2024.

Also read: Shaheen Afridi shockingly axed as Pakistan announce 12-man team for 2nd Test vs Bangladesh

Ollie Pope speaks on England's recent injury issues

While speaking to the reporters before the second Test match against Sri Lanka, Ollie Pope spoke about the effect of injuries but reckoned it's a great opportunity for other players to step in.

"Yeah obviously, he made some slight adjustments. There are a couple of injuries as well with (Ben) Stokes and Zak (Crawley) up top. There are some unfortunate injuries that happened. But at the same time, it's a great opportunity for other guys to come in and get going they deserve," Pope said.

Ben Stokes injured his hamstring while playing a Hundred 2024 match. As a result, he was ruled out of the whole Test series against Sri Lanka. Ollie Pope is leading England in his absence. On the other hand, Zak Crawley fractured his little finger on his right hand while attempting to catch a ball at second slip during the series against West Indies.

I think what Brendon McCullum did leading into this summer, he made some pretty brutal changes - Ollie Pope

"Brendon made some pretty brutal changes, that he saw are going to take the team to a better place going forward" 💬

⏤ Ollie Pope on England's evolution. pic.twitter.com/cRmAzD7P3o

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) August 28, 2024

Ollie Pope further credited the head coach Brendon McCullum for making some changes in the team's approach which has put them in a better place. He also spoke about being ruthless and try to win as many games as possible.

"I think what Brendon (McCullum) did leading into this summer, he made some pretty brutal changes, that he saw are going to take the team to a better place getting forward," Pope stated.

"I think we showed last week, we don't use the term Bazball, that we play different brand of cricket. That's something can keep taking us forward as a team and we got to try and be ruthless just to win as many games as possible," Ollie Pope added.

Ollie Pope lauds Jamie Smith

Ollie Pope also praised the young wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith for a brilliant start to his Test career.

"Credit to the guys who have come in, Jamie Smith as well, the way he played in both innings, credit to him and shows that we are ready to take this team forward," he concluded.

Jamie Smith smashed his maiden Test hundred in the first Test against Sri Lanka when England were in a spot of bother. The youngster was adjudged Player of the Match for scoring 111 and 39 across both the innings of the Test match.