Wright follows McCullum model

Luke Wright is aiming for more consistency on the international stage

Buy this photo

Luke Wright will closely study the manner in which Brendon McCullum approaches the remainder of the one-day NatWest Series in an attempt to emulate his achievements on the international stage.

The Sussex all-rounder has played just seven one-day internationals and eight Twenty20 internationals and concedes he is still at the learning stage of his development.

Contrast that to New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman McCullum, who has played 130 one-day internationals and is widely regarded as the most destructive one-day opening batsman in the world - as was underlined by his brilliant 158 off only 73 balls during the opening match of the Indian Premier League.

It is that explosive strokeplay which Wright is attempting to match, although he has already given a good passing imitation by hitting 52 off only 38 balls in the washed-out second match of the NatWest Series at Edgbaston.

“Batting at the top of the order enables me to play my natural game, to play my shots and try and play in a similar fashion to the way McCullum goes about it for New Zealand,” explained 23-year-old Wright.

“He’s obviously very good at it and someone to look at and study the way he goes about it.

I’ve always watched people like (Marcus) Trescothick opening the batting, watching and learning how those sort of guys go about it. At the moment we’re playing against McCullum and he’s done really well against us so I’m watching how he goes about it.

“He hits it in slightly different areas to me but it’s still interesting in the way he tries to manoeuvre it and uses his best options. The best thing about playing international cricket is that you’re playing both with and against great players and it’s great to learn from as many people as you can.

“I’m just trying to learn quickly at the moment and hopefully score runs consistently, get confidence from that and push on from there.”

Wednesday’s innings followed several days of intense practice with former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower, who is now England’s batting coach, following his display in Sunday’s opener to the five-match series at Chester-le-Street.

Wright sought the advice and experience of Andy Flower following his innings in the opening game

Wright’s 11 in Durham took 33 balls and only included one boundary, but he improved significantly by Wednesday and hit six fours and two sixes following the work with Flower.

“I’d done a fair amount of work on my batting with Andy (Flower) leading up to the game so it was nice to get some runs after putting the work in,” admitted Wright.

“It was all about getting down to my way of playing. I didn’t get a great start in the previous game, only getting 11, but I was happy with the way I was setting up and I did hit the fielders a few times.

“We were working on using the way I bat and trying to use my best options like I would do if I was opening for Sussex. It was all about backing myself for this last game and luckily it came off.”

Wright has also become a key member of England’s bowling attack ever since he was surprisingly given the final over by captain Paul Collingwood in the fourth one-day international against New Zealand at Napier earlier this year.

Needing just seven runs to claim a famous victory, Wright restricted them to only six runs to earn a tie and has been given extra responsibility with the ball ever since.

“The way that over came out in Napier probably gave Colly confidence to be able to use me a bit more,” said Wright.

“I’ve been bowling a lot more for Sussex this year and I came into this series with a bit of confidence about my bowling. I’ve really enjoyed getting a bowl and it’s been good to bowl at really good times rather than just bowling as a last-ditch attempt.

“Batsmen are getting really skilful now and there are a lot more improvised shots going on - you always have to be on your toes when you’re bowling.

“I really enjoy the challenge of bowling, though, especially at some of these guys we come up against. Bowling at (Ross) Taylor and McCullum when they’re trying to plant me out of the park is great.”