McCullum puts fitness and preparation first as England return to Perth
England white-ball coach Brendon McCullum says the build-up to the ODI series against Australia will include a fitness block as his side prepares for the 2027 World Cup.
Brendon McCullum has said England will use the lead-up to their three-match ODI series in Australia to focus on fitness and preparation as the white-ball side builds towards the 2027 World Cup.
England play the first ODI at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 13, and will warm up with a 50-over match against a Western Australia XI at the WACA on November 7. McCullum, back at the scene of England's 4-1 Ashes defeat last winter, said the tourists want to play a 'high-octane, robust style of play' that demands fitness.
'For us, this is a great opportunity to have a little fitness block in and around the demand of this series,' McCullum said.
England arrive from Pakistan, where they finished bottom of a tri-series also featuring Sri Lanka, losing three of four games. McCullum noted the inexperience of the 50-over squad, which has won 11 and lost 11 of its last 22 matches since Harry Brook took over as captain from Jos Buttler.
McCullum was sacked as Test coach during the English summer after the Ashes loss, but said he is focused on the white-ball job. He acknowledged England 'missed some opportunities' in Australia last winter but described the current ODI side as 'very different'.
'Winning a World Cup would be amazing, but we know we're going to have to get better between now and then,' he said.