Brendon McCullum reveals plan for Mark Wood and Jofra Archer as England try to blow teams away.

Brendon McCullum is reluctant to wrap Mark Wood and Jofra Archer in cotton wool after assembling an arsenal of quicks for England that can destroy teams.

England’s need for speed, which they see as vital to regaining the Ashes in Australia this winter, puts more weight on the shoulders of Wood and Archer, both of whom have started their careers.

Wood has been sidelined since August with a stress fracture in his right elbow, and Archer has been on a diet of white-ball cricket only in his latest return with a bowling arm injury and back.

The pair have been in India in all forms before the start of McCullum’s reign as England manager, but there is complementary firepower from Braydon Cares, Jimmy Everton, Saqib Mahmood and Gus Atkinson.

While Mahmood and Atkinson may be a fraction slower than the rest, all of England’s pace options can be in the mid-80mph range, meaning they don’t have to rely on one or two players.

“When kids are fit and shooting and having fun playing, you don’t want to stop them,” McCallum said.

“I don’t think we’re going to do too much of that cotton wool treatment.

“(You have to) plan as if you’re going to live forever, but live as if you’re going to die tomorrow, you have to have ideas in your head and that’s why we’re talking about wanting a fast bowling battery. Let’s make it, we have talked.

Jofra Archer hopes to return to Test cricket in 2025 (PA wire)

Pace just adds a bit of discomfort for the opposition and allows for a bit more margin for error. It also gives the opportunity to potentially eliminate teams and come out on top.

After surrendering both his World Cup crown and his reign in Kolkata with the first of five T20Is against India on Wednesday evening, McCullum will be looking to rejuvenate England’s limited overs side.

The tour, which includes three ODIs, will act as a warm-up for the Champions Trophy from next month and McCullum, who is familiar with the local conditions playing for and coaching Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, believes that Regularly attacks these competitions. The home side’s batting will be key.

“Here, you have to take wickets,” McCullum said.

As the pitch size and Indian pitches are very good, so if you don’t lose in the wicket column, the scores can be very big. We will be looking to try and get wickets, and having that pace will help a bit more.

Mark Wood missed most of 2024 due to injury (Action images via Reuters)

I know it’s going to be a tough tour, but I’m very excited. “I’m desperate that we can play a really spectacular brand of cricket, with the talent we have there’s no reason why we can’t.”

While England have not settled on a starting eleven, wicketkeeping duties will fall to either Phil Salt or Jimmy Smith, with captain Jos Buttler preparing to resume his role as a specialist batsman at number three.

Buttler looked to have rediscovered his mojo after returning from a long injury layoff in the Caribbean before Christmas, and looked a poor man in his two disappointing World Cup appearances, and McCullum suggested the 34-year-old could is yet to have his best days in the World Cup. in front of him

McCullum, who confirmed Harry Brook as England’s white-ball vice-captain, said: “Sometimes when you get the opportunity to lead in the latter part of your career, there are times when you can be a little desperate for success. “

“It can be frustrating and not as enjoyable. If you can let go a little bit and have nothing else to prove other than trying to get the best out of the people around you, it can sometimes make your game release even more and finally you can perform really strong.

“Jose is quite excited about the future and I’m sure you’ll see him smile when we’re out on the pitch. His best years could definitely be ahead of him.”