India will be well prepared, but we know where we as a test team want to come: McCullum | Mint

London, June 12 (PTI), the head coach of England, Brendon McCullum, believes that India has arrived well prepared and full of faith for the upcoming five -match test series, but his team is also clear where he wants to be in Leeds in the eagerly expected performance from June 20. The series will kick India’s new World Test Championship Cycle from India. “It’s an excellent cricketing nation that will come here with great hope, and we look forward to seeing them,” McCullum told ‘Sky Sports Cricket’. On the other hand, England has just completed a whitewash of the West Indies in a white-ball series with six games. Their focus is now shifting to the red-ball format while they are ready to take India and also prepare for the Ashes later this year. ‘It’s important that the guys refresh. We know where we want to come as a test team. ‘ England will be without the tear pacer Mark Wood, which has been excluded from at least the first three tests due to an injury. Co -Quick Jofra Archer will also miss the opening test, while Gus Atkinson is still recovering from a hamstring. Despite the setbacks, McCullum remains confident in England’s bowling options. “There are some quality bowlers who are not available, but we have a nice, varied bowling attack with Chris Woakes, Sam Cook, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue for the high pace element,” the former New Zealand captain said. “We have Shoaib Bashir, who grows in Test cricket every day. We know we will be tested against India, and they will be prepared,” he added. India starts a new era after testing from veterans Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin. The team is led by Shubman Gill and contains a youthful series, including Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The English Allrounder Jacob Bathel was repealed and McCullum was all praised for the 21-year-old. “Bethell has a good life ahead of him. For a 21-year-old, he has a real attitude, and it allows him to go there and be present and show his flair and talent,” McCullum said. “The world is his oyster. He is already becoming a leader in the locker room, which you want, ‘he added. McCullum also mentions Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett as the talents to look forward to. “Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett reminded me of Duckett and Zak Crawley in the test game. We know how good Duckett is, but the power that Smith owns is incredible.” These guys are fearless, and if you add the craft, you hope you end up with a rounded player. “