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Sport
Scott Bailey

McCullum adamant England have handled Ashes scrutiny

England figures such as Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and Joe Root have been under intense scrutiny. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

England coach Brendon McCullum has conceded an airport altercation between team security and a cameraman was "not ideal" but insists his side have handled their intense Ashes scrutiny well.

On the same day Cameron Green admitted he had some sympathy for the tourists, McCullum stressed his touring party had embraced the banter in Australia.

It came after a member of England's staff made contact with a Seven Network cameraman on Saturday at Brisbane airport, trying to block him from filming the team.

Cricket Australia media directives state that teams are not available for interview while in transit, but can be filmed "from a respectful distance".

England captain Ben Stokes was also unhappy with an Adelaide journalist who breached those guidelines on Saturday, annoyed he had been recorded from close distance.

Stokes and McCullum.
Stokes and McCullum have been in the spotlight after their tactics failed in the first two Tests (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

The tourists have been heavily scrutinised since touching down in Australia, at times becoming the butt of jokes while going 2-0 down in the series and with their aggressive style of play not working.

Stokes went as far as to pose for a photo with a radio duo during the team's highly-publicised break in Noosa, as they held up signs referencing "moral victories" and "Bazball".

"I didn't see (the airport incident), but obviously it wasn't ideal," McCullum said on Sunday. 

"But hopefully it's been dealt with and everyone's able to move on. 

"Obviously, we know coming to Australia, there's a lot of eyeballs, there's a lot of intensity and scrutiny on everything we do.

"I feel like we've managed ourselves pretty well throughout this tour. I thought the boys were outstanding. 

"The last week we've had, they're engaging with a lot of the locals and everyone was in good spirits. 

"There was some good banter flying both ways and I think everyone treated it (well) and respected it."

Cameron Green and Ben Stokes.
Cameron Green says he has sympathy for Ben Stokes and his side as the pressure mounts on them. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

McCullum also defended England's decision to go to Noosa, with the trip having been booked well in advance given the gap between the Perth and Adelaide Tests.

"It was quite an important period," the beleaguered coach said. 

"We could give ourselves a chance to allow some of the lessons we've learnt over the last couple of weeks to settle and to recalibrate a little bit.

"I think now the freshness which we come into this Test match with will hopefully pay off."

McCullum's comments came as Green admitted he felt sorry for the tourists, admitting he too battled to grow accustomed to the spotlight put on players.

"You never like getting filmed, especially when you want to get away from it," Green said. 

"There's always sympathy for anyone in life that's getting filmed in public or in a private space.

"It's never a nice feeling."

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