- UN says 2 peacekeepers wounded in south Lebanon explosions
- Injury-hit Australia thrash 'embarrassing' Pakistan at Women's T20 World Cup
- Internal TikTok documents show prioritization of traffic over well-being
- Israel says fired at 'immediate threat' near UN position in Lebanon
- New US coach Pochettino hails Pulisic but worries over workload
- Brazil orders closure of 2,000 betting sites
- UK govt urged to raise pro-democracy tycoon's case with China
- Sculptor Lalanne's animal creations sell for $59 mn
- From Tesla to Trump: Behind Musk's giant leap into politics
- US, European markets rise as investors weigh rates, earnings
- In Colombia, children trade plastic waste for school supplies
- Supercharged hurricanes trigger 'perfect storm' for disinformation
- JPMorgan Chase profits top estimates, bank sees 'resilient' US economy
- Djokovic proves staying power as he progresses to Shanghai semi-finals
- Sheffield Utd boss Wilder 'numb' after Baldock death
- Little progress at key meet ahead of COP29 climate summit
- Fans immerse themselves in Marina Abramovic's first China exhibition
- Israel says conducting review after UN peacekeepers wounded in Lebanon
- 'Party atmosphere': Skygazers treated to another aurora show
- Djokovic 'overwhelmed' after 'greatest rival' Nadal's retirement
- Zelensky in Berlin says hopes war with Russia will end next year
- Kyrgyzstan opens rare probe into glacier destruction
- European Mediterranean states discuss Middle East, migration
- Djokovic proves staying power as progresses to Shanghai semi-finals
- Hurricane Milton leaves at least 16 dead as Florida cleans up
- Britain face 'ultimate challenge' in America's Cup duel with New Zealand
- Lebanon calls for 'immediate' ceasefire in Israel-Hezbollah war
- Nihon Hidankyo: Japan's A-bomb survivors awarded Nobel
- Thunberg leads pro-Palestinian, climate protest in Milan
- Boat captain rescued clinging to cooler in Gulf of Mexico after storm Milton
- Tears, warnings after Japan atomic survivors group win Nobel
- 'Unspeakable horror': the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- Stock markets diverge before China weekend briefing
- Christian villagers 'trapped' in south Lebanon crossfire
- Sabalenka sets up Gauff showdown in Wuhan semis
- EU questions shopping app Temu over illegal products risk
- Kim Sei-young holds lead with late birdies at LPGA Shanghai
- Toulouse welcome Dupont 'boost' as Olympic star returns to Top 14
- Japanese atomic bomb survivor group Nihon Hidankyo wins Nobel Peace Prize
- Deadly Israeli strike on Beirut likely targeted Hezbollah security chief
- Bangladesh Islamist chief backs crimes against humanity trial for ex-PM
- Everest climber's remains believed found after 100 years
- 20 Pakistan coal miners shot dead in attack
- Clashes on South China Sea, Ukraine dominate Asia summit
- Han Kang's books sell out in South Korea after Nobel win
- Zelensky meets Pope, Scholz as whirlwind Europe tour ends
- Hello Hallyu: why is South Korean culture sweeping the globe?
- UK economy rebounds in August in boost to new govt
- Voice of Japan's beloved robot cat 'Doraemon' dies
- Shanghai markets sink ahead of briefing on mixed day for Asia
McCullum says England have 'harder feel' after West Indies clean sweep
England coach Brendon McCullum believes an overhauled Test side have developed a "harder feel" after launching their home season with a comprehensive 3-0 series rout of the West Indies.
A 4-1 loss in India was the catalyst for England, in McCullum's choice of words, to both "refine" their aggressive approach and revamp their red-ball side.
England record wicket-taker James Anderson was persuaded into international retirement, while both 100-cap veteran Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes were leapfrogged into the wicketkeeper's position by Test newcomer Jamie Smith.
Fast bowler Gus Atkinson was also given a debut during the West Indies series, with Shoaib Bashir replacing Jack Leach as England's first-choice spinner.
The youthful trio of Smith, Atkinson and Bashir all made a mark as England beat the West Indies by an innings and 114 runs at Lord's and then by 241 runs at Trent Bridge, before wrapping up the series with a 10-wicket win at Edgbaston on Sunday.
"No changes are ever easy, are they?," said England red-ball boss McCullum. "But we knew we needed to make a couple of improvements as a side and we brought in some new faces."
The former New Zealand captain added: "You don't ask for instant gratification when it comes to them but the way the series played out you'd say the guys have certainly shown they're good enough at this level.
"What we've seen from Gus Atkinson, from Shoaib Bashir and Jamie Smith, is that international cricket is where they belong and they've performed accordingly.
"Sometimes when you lose you have a period of reflection and what we've seen is a team which has bounced back with a bit of a harder feel to it. I think we're a stronger team now than we may have been in the past."
- 'Incredible Anderson' -
Anderson bowed out after the series opener at Lord's with 704 Test wickets, the most by any fast bowler in the 147-year history of the format, with only spinners Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Muttiah Muralitharan (800) ahead of him in the all-time standings.
England, however, have retained Anderson's services as a fast-bowling mentor, with a grateful McCullum saying: "What Jimmy's given in the past couple of matches is quite incredible. He's fitted seamlessly into our group of coaches.
"It's never easy but he seems really content right now, it's great to have him and I feel very lucky that he's part of our group."
England would dearly love to be able to take a battery of genuine fast bowlers with them to Australia when they seek to regain the Ashes in 2025/26.
"With the bowlers now we've got some pretty good ammo (ammunition) that we are going to need on flat wickets when times arise," said McCullum.
"Gus has touched 90mph (145kmh), been able to jag the ball off a good length and also been able to operate a bumper plan for a period of time.
"The way Chris Woakes bowled was outstanding. Then you add the speed of Mark Wood, which is quite frightening really.
"Shoaib Bashir and Stokesy (England captain Ben Stokes) are in there too... We're not the finished article but this series is a step forward."
Meanwhile, speculation continues to surround the future of England white-ball coach Matthew Mott, with the Australian's position under threat as director of cricket Rob Key conducts a review following the limited-overs team's lacklustre defence of both their 50-over and T20 World Cup titles.
"I don't know how it's going to work out to be honest, I haven't really followed it because you're worried about doing your own job," said McCullum.
"Motty is a good bloke and a very good coach. Whatever happens he'll be fine."
O.Johnson--AMWN