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"Nothing bigger than...": McCullum on the enormity of the Ashes for Bazball

Mayank

The Ashes 2025/26 begins on November 21 in Perth. [Source - AFP Photos]The Ashes 2025/26 begins on November 21 in Perth. [Source - AFP Photos]

The Ashes 2025/26 is set to commence on November 21 at the Optus Stadium, Perth, as Bazball faces its biggest Test Down Under.

It has been a decade since England last had their hands on the Urn before losing two away series in a humiliating 4-0 fashion and drawing twice at home by 2-2.

Since joining the English team as a head coach, Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have combined and tried to change the identity of this team, famously getting termed 'Bazball', and this time, they have their first choice squad, fully fit at their disposal.

"This team has been together...": McCullum feels England are ready to take on the Aussies

Speaking to the former England player Phil Tufnell at BBC Cricket, McCullum felt the team has been working towards this goal of regaining the Urn, after they have spent enough time together to gel up and go head-on in the series.

"There's nothing bigger than what we're about to come into. This team has been together for a good couple of years a,nd we have been building towards this moment. It is the biggest stage and it is the brightest lights. It is a series that could define teams, the people and players within it. That's OK," said the England head coach.

While he has asked his team to live in the moment, he believes that this series will be a 'defining' moment for him and the squad after the hard work they have put into this project.

"You know you're ready, you know you have the game to compete at this level. Stay together, play the style you have become accustomed to, and we'll see in a couple of months where we land. We've got our team to the start line. I feel like our horse is going to run well. Whether we find another horse in the race that is better than us, who knows," he added.

Since the former New Zealand captain assumed the duties as the England head coach in May 2022, they have a record of 25 wins in 41 matches, losing 14. On most occasions, his team has gone for the results and taken some questionable decisions, but backed themselves to do the job.

They have announced their 12-man squad two days ahead of the match, with 7 batters, 4 pacers and Shoaib Bashir as the lone spinner and are expected to finalise the XI on the matchday.