brook

Brook’s assessment is a familiar one.

After England were bowled out for 131 in a one-day international against South Africa last year, he said his could have “gone a little bit harder with the bat”.

When they lost an ODI in New Zealand before Christmas, Brook asked, “Can we go harder?”.

Against the impressive Windies, Tom Banton also chipped a catch to extra cover pushing a drive off Motie, while Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks were bowled and pinned lbw respectively playing from the crease.

“Chasing nearly 200 is always a big ask and we thought the pitch would get a little bit better and it would slide on to the bat a little bit more, but that didn’t happen,” Brook said.

“We were probably a little bit careful, myself included.”

In the absence of dew, which makes it harder for bowlers to grip the ball, the pitch at Wankhede Stadium offered more turn than any other at this World Cup so far.

England played spin well on their recent tour of Sri Lanka, where they won a T20 series 3-0, but here familiar issues resurfaced.

“I thought we played spin outstanding in Sri Lanka and we’ve just had a bad day today,” Brook said.

“We didn’t manage to get over the line and they bowled well.”

Brook also backed leading pace bowler Jofra Archer, who conceded 48 runs from his four overs after being hit for 42 in the win over Nepal on Sunday.

“Everybody knows how good Jof is,” Brook said.

“He’ll bounce back for sure. He’s bowling rapid and I’m sure he’ll execute better in the coming games.”

England face Scotland on Saturday before their final Group C match against Italy on Monday, with both games taking place in Kolkata.

The Daily Telegraph have reported that Brook, Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue could be subject to an investigation from the cricket regulator with regard to the incident in Wellington, which occurred the night before a one-day international which England lost.

The incident, which happened in November, did not come to light in the media until January, and followed a mid-Ashes break in Noosa which also drew criticism for some excessive drinking by players.

“Cricket is 12 months a year, you have to be able to enjoy yourselves. I don’t think the boys went overboard at all,” McCullum said of the Noosa trip.

“A lot of the pile-on for it was completely out of line. Noosa is where people go and retire, there’s a reason why we chose Noosa.

“It’s being made [out] as this big stag do place, it couldn’t be further from that. If we wanted a stag do and we wanted a tear up, we’d have gone to the Gold Coast.”

McCullum’s leadership style has drawn criticism from outsiders, with some feeling the players are given too much freedom on and off the pitch.

However, McCullum bristled at such sentiments and believes his message has been misinterpreted by those outside the dressing room.

“I think you guys [journalists] have got to work me out a little bit better to be honest,” he said.

“If you go back to the day I walked into the job, the first thing I said to these boys is don’t do anything that lands you on the front page of the paper and nothing good happens after midnight, but we’re going to have a good time.

“[I said] we’re going to grow, we’re going to enjoy ourselves, cricket is a tough game, it has its challenges mentally, which we’ve seen with many people that have played cricket in the past, but we’re going to try and play a style of cricket that allows us to succeed.

“I’m not against making sure these boys are controlled in a manner. It’s [about] looking after them to ensure they don’t make mistakes. The curfew is a different interpretation of the words I mentioned three and a half years ago.”

McCullum said he thought there was a “misconception” that he ran a “loose ship” and wanted everyone out drinking, and that he didn’t care about cricket.

“It couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said.

“I’m fiercely determined, I’m fiercely competitive and I want the best for these guys, and I want the best for English cricket.”

England start their World Cup campaign against Nepal on Sunday, 8 February (09:30 GMT).

Brook will lead the team in India and Sri Lanka and McCullum says he is impressed by the Yorkshireman’s captaincy so far.

“I think Harry Brook is an outstanding leader on the field,” he added. “His tactical acumen is as good as I’ve seen in a short period of time from a young man.

“He has work to do off the field without a doubt, as do some of the other young lads we have in our side – and that’s what happens when you come in at 20 and you’re growing up on a world stage with spotlight, fame, fortune and the pressure that comes with it.

“He’s a strong leader, he’s a young man but he’s got a very good head on his shoulders. People will say he’s not that clever, I couldn’t disagree with that more, he wears his intelligence lightly and he’s a very strong leader.

“He’s a player they play for in that dressing room and our job is to keep looking after him because he is young and he’s got his best days in front of him.”

The beautiful village is perfect for a serene getaway for those looking to immerse themselves in nature and rich rural history – and it’s been named one of the county’s ‘best kept’.

A hidden gem of a Lancashire village nestled on the northern shores of the River Ribble offers the perfect tranquil escape for anyone seeking to lose themselves in nature and centuries of countryside heritage.

Located a mere two miles north-west of Clitheroe in the breathtaking Ribble Valley, this picturesque village boasts everything you could wish for – a trickling stream, sweeping views of imposing fells, heritage sites, three highly-rated traditional pubs, cobblestone lanes and winding pathways, plus a captivating riverside garden that has earned the village numerous accolades through the years.

Set within the Forest of Bowland – designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1964 – strolling through this enchanting corner of the countryside whilst soaking up scenic vistas of striking fells, it’s easy to understand why this village has captured the affection of countless visitors.

The Lancashire village of Waddington derives its name from Wadda, an 8th-century Anglo-Saxon chieftain linked to the assassination of Northumbrian King Ethelred – just one glimpse into this charming settlement’s fascinating and layered past.

Having secured the prestigious ‘Best Kept Village in Lancashire’ award on multiple occasions, Waddington’s Coronation/Jubilee Gardens deserves much of the credit for this distinguished recognition, reports Lancs Live.

The public garden’s stunning sundial and vibrant floral displays are truly spectacular, and positioned alongside Waddington Brook, it serves as one of the village’s most popular attractions.

Created in 1953 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, the crowning glory of this award-winning garden is the rustic bridge erected in 2002.

Contributing to the village’s appeal and distinctive character, several properties benefit from having the Waddington Brook literally on their doorstep, with the picturesque stream running directly past their front doors.

The village boasts numerous significant historical landmarks including the 15th-century Anglican St Helen’s Church, Waddington Methodist Church, a magnificent 17th-century manor house known as Waddow Hall, and Almshouses initially built during the 1700s to accommodate widows of local dalesmen and farmers.

These almshouses were demolished and rebuilt beside the village green in the late 19th-century.

However, there’s more to Waddington’s story. The village has another notable distinction – Waddington Hall is renowned for sheltering King Henry VI for 12 months whilst he evaded his Yorkist adversaries, before his betrayal and capture in 1465.

The village also became the location for a 1990 ‘TV experiment’ when the now-defunct television channel established a studio in the village hall, broadcasting ‘hyper-local’ programmes featuring local stories from the venue for an hour each evening.

Consequently, Waddington Village TV proved enormously popular at the time. The closest train station to Waddington is located in Clitheroe, whilst the nearest bus station can be found in Whalley. The village is also readily accessible by road.

Trio of top-rated pubs

Waddington is also home to three highly-rated pubs – firm favourites amongst both locals and tourists.

The picturesque village nestled at the base of Waddington Fell houses the award-winning Higher Buck, a pub which appeared on Estrella Damm’s ‘Top 50 Gastropubs in the UK’ list in 2022.

Its outdoor seating area proves irresistible to travellers, with visitors unable to pass up enjoying a pint when the weather’s fine. Combine that with the exceptional food served at the establishment and you’ve discovered an unmissable culinary paradise.

Rounding off the trio are the Lower Buck Inn and the Waddington Arms, both offering delicious meals that pair perfectly with a satisfying pint. Situated right in the village centre, these two venues also provide accommodation for visitors.

The Lower Buck dates back to 1760 and takes pride in being a ‘traditionally traditional’ establishment, whilst the Waddington Arms is somewhat more sophisticated – and functions as a four-star hotel with an impressive 4.4 out of 5 rating on Tripadvisor.

Best Lancashire holiday cottage deals

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

From £42 a night

Sykes Cottages

See the deals

Lancashire is known for its wide open skies, stunning landscapes and lively coastal resorts. Sykes Cottages has a wide range of self catering accommodation across the county from £42 a night.