The Ashes: England ‘trained too much’ says Brendon McCullum as Ben Stokes questions mentality

Coach Brendon McCullum said England trained “too much” while captain Ben Stokes raised questions about his side’s mentality after their crushing defeat by Australia in the second Test.

Though England showed some fight, they were thrashed by eight wickets in Brisbane to go 2-0 down in the five-match Ashes series.

Their preparation for the highly anticipated contest has been questioned throughout, with England playing only one, intra-squad warm-up match before the series and skipping a pink-ball warm-up before the second Test.

“We had five to 10 training sessions leading into this game,” McCullum told BBC Test Match Special.

“Sometimes there is a tendency to overdo things to make up for it.

“If anything, we trained too much.”

He added: “As we all know in this game it is played in the top two inches.

“We all have to find a way that ensures that we feel prepared physically, technically and we are ready for the battle, but also to make sure we are fresh and make sure we can make those decisions in the heat of the games.”

Stokes led the resistance on the final day by surviving 152 balls for 50 runs but England lost 4-17 after batter Will Jacks was dismissed, leaving Australia a chase of 65 runs in their second innings.

Stokes denied England’s problems are down to skill and instead questioned why they have been unable to capitalise in key moments.

“They are all incredibly talented players but if you can’t put it down to a skill thing you start to wonder what is it?” Stokes said.

“Do we need to start thinking about what mentality we are taking into those pressure moments?

“When we are on top we are great and when behind the game we are also very good but when that moment is neck and neck we are not coming out on top on enough occasions.”