Stuart Broad believes the task ahead of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum is the biggest challenge the duo has ever faced as England ponders what next.
For the next three days, England will lick its wounds during a time the players expected to be on the ground.
The scrutiny will only heighten as a result, with an English and Australian media pack applying the blowtorch.
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Usman Khawaja himself couldn’t play a few rounds of golf without being incognito and Broad says the same applies to England.
“If they go to a golf course, they’re going to be pictured, they’re going to be front page,” he said on he and Jos Buttler’s podcast For The Love Of Cricket.
Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. Getty
“But then McCullum’s mentality and psychology around this team is about getting them away from hotels and cricket grounds and freeing their brains up.
“But the Australian press will be all over them. Stokes will miss a three-footer on the 18 and that will be front page of the paper. That’s just the style of losing and touring here.”
McCullum has been head coach of England since 2022 which came after Australia won 4-0 in the 2021-22 series.
The New Zealander’s first Ashes series was in 2023 which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Stokes took over as captain just before the appointment of McCullum.
Broad, who played under the two, implied the preparation for the Gabba is make or break.
“I think this next 10 to 12 days is the biggest challenge McCullum and Stokes have had in their leadership roles with this England team,” he said.
The second Test at the Gabba will start on December 4.
England will need to consider whether they want any of the team playing in Canberra for the Lions match against the Prime Minister’s XI.
That match starts on November 29 and is a two-day pink ball fixture.
Broad suggested no personnel changes will be made for England’s team at the Gabba.