After the premature end of the second Test in Vizag, the English cricket team has hurried to Abu Dhabi. Having already announced that they’d not stay in India during the extended gap between the second and third India vs England Tests, Ben Stokes and Co. wasted no time and jetted off to the UAE yesterday.
This move by England has offended the BCCI, who, despite their displeasure, paid for their trip to Abu Dhabi. The touring party will come back to India on February 12, three days before the start of the third Test in Rajkot.
Amidst all this, England’s head coach, Brendon McCullum, has defended their decision, providing the reasoning behind their short trip to Abu Dhabi and detailing why they decided not to stay in India.
“We have had plenty of training days, two varying Test matches, and this is an opportunity to step away from the heat of the battle,” he said to the Telegraph.
McCullum added that, although they wanted to go back home, it was a little too far. Instead, they’ll travel to the UAE to let off some steam, similar to how the Indian cricket team players will be going home.
“I was talking to Rahul Dravid, and he mentioned all his boys are shooting home as well. Home for us a little way away, so we chose Abu Dhabi, and we are going to enjoy the families. Then, when we get to Rajkot, we drop the shoulder and go hard.
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