Cricket News Desk. England head coach Brendon McCullum believes that India will be fully prepared and filled with confidence for the five -Test series, but at the same time he said that his players well understood where we want to go as a Test team.

India will start their new World Test Championship cycle with a five -match series against England in Leeds from June 20. McCullum told Sky Sports Cricket, “He is a great cricket playing country which has come here with great expectations and we are ready for his challenge.” England recently defeated West Indies in a six -match white ball series. Their focus is now on the format of the red ball as they are preparing for India and Ashes later this year. McCullum said, “It is important that the players be refreshed. We know where we want to go as a Test team.” England will play without fast bowler Mark Wood, who is at least out of three Tests due to injury. Fellow fast bowler Jofra Archer will also be out of the initial Test, while Gas Atkinson is still recovering from the hamstring stretch.

However, McCullum has full confidence in England’s bowling options. The former New Zealand captain said, “Some of our good fast bowlers will not be available to play, but we have a good and diverse attack in the Department of fast bowling as Chris Woakes, Sam Cook, Bridon Karse, Jamie Overton, Josh Tong.” “We have Shoaib Bashir in the spin department, which are improving our game in Test cricket. We know that we will be examined against India and they will be fully ready.” India will start a new era without experienced Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin.

All three players have retired from Test cricket. The Indian team will be headed by Shubman Gill and will include youth like Sai Sudarshan and Yashasvi Jaiswal. England have recalled all -rounder Jacob Bethel to the team and McCullum praised the 21 -year -old player. He said, “Bethel has a long career right now. He is only 21 years old and has a chance to show his talent. He has already made his identity in the dressing room.” McCullum also made special mention of Jamie Smith and Ben Docket. “Jamie Smith and Ben Docket reminded me of the pair of Docket and Jack Crolee in Test matches. We know how good batsmen are Docket, but the strength in Smith is incredible.”