Amid the fallout from England’s defeat in the first Test – one that left Lord’s empty on the fourth day and afforded South Africa a few more Castle lagers on Friday night – the message from Brendon McCullum was simple: his players did not go hard enough.
Given the evaporation of 20 wickets in 82.4 overs across the two innings – England rolled for scores of 165 and 149 by an attack described as “relentless” by Ben Stokes – it is an assessment from the head coach that may induce bristling in some quarters. After all, they still scored the runs they did muster at a none-too-sluggish 3.8 per over.
