Ever since Brendon McCullum took over the reins of the English Test side, there has been no shortage of exciting changes, and while most of those changes have ticked the right boxes as far as the success rate is concerned, it won’t be a surprise if the visitors will be tempted to employ a four-spin attack in the second Test against India, starting February 2 if the pitch will give more assistance to the spinners. Well, at least that’s the indication from the former New Zealand skipper, after the fourth spinner in Shoiab Bashir joined the squad.

Off-spinner Bashir joined the squad on the penultimate day of the Hyderabad Test that the English team went on to win by 28 runs, thanks to a brilliant seven-wicket burst from debutant left-arm spinner Tom Hartley. Bashir, whose arrival was delayed for his visa clearance, will boost the English spin attack that also comprises the likes of Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed. Joe Root is the additional handy spin option in their armoury.

With his team ready to fire all the cylinders in their quest of going 2-0 up in the series, McCullum indicated that the team management won’t be afraid to play all four frontline spinners.

“He (Bashir) was obviously with us in the camp in Abu Dhabi and he really impressed with his skill sets. He fits in the group. He, again like Tom Hartley, has little first-class experience but we thought his skill could help us in here,” McCullum said.

“He turned up at a perfect time. The guys gave him a huge cheer and he witnessed the Test win. He also came to the calculation for the next Test match. We won’t be afraid to play all spinners if the wickets turn more,” he added.

Analysing the performance of Hartley in the first game, the head coach conceded that their punt on playing the left-arm spinner paid off, and compared his inclusion to Nathan Lyon’s debut for Australia after a handful of FC appearances.

“Tom Hartley on debut, who has only played a handful of first-class games stepped up with the bowl. It was a punt selection. We saw something in him that we thought would work over here. He is a tough character and the way the skipper handled him was quite remarkable as well. He obviously bowled us to the Test win,” said McCullum.

“When we picked Tom, people raised their eyebrows but let’s not forget Nathan Lyon only played a handful of first-class cricket averaging 40 odd when he first got picked for the Test team for Australia,” he said.

“When you see guys who are good enough and the conditions will suit them, it is like horses for courses. You have to back your judgement on things like that. If you like the skillsets and the character you need to be brave with the selection call as well.

Hartley didn’t have the best of starts in the first innings, especially after he was hit for two sixes on his first two balls on Test debut. Despite the ordinary outing, England captain Ben Stokes gave him an extended spell and that McCullum feels boosted the confidence of the youngster.

“The way Ben Stokes handled him and bowled him an extended spell regardless of him being put under pressure by the India batters. I thought that was a real sign of leadership and also it was a clear message to those around the squad that you are not going to be cast aside or taken off the crease after the first sign of the danger.

“It allowed Tom to feel like he belonged and he knew where he was wrong in the first innings and came up with triumphs. You need to take a little bit of a punt and this one paid off.”

McCullum said that he still felt that 246 in the first innings was a good score on that surface and hailed Ollie Pope’s remarkable 196 in the second innings.

“We were pretty calm. We thought 246 was a pretty good score on that surface. I think the wicket was kind of tacky to start. It turned a little bit more and we felt that it slowed up a little bit and batting became a little bit easier. We were content with 240 odd. Few tight calls didn’t go our way, but we kind of hung up there and I thought the attitude was fantastic. We were able to see one of the greatest innings in the sub continent from Ollie Pope. The guys chipped it around him as well,” he said.

When asked how the feeling was around the group after the win, he said: ” It feels really good. We were a little bit behind for a fair bit of the game. The belief never wavered. We have got a skipper, who has got an incredible belief to bind the team together and the unit which believes that they can turn it around from the difficult conditions.

“We were able to overcome a very good Indian side and we got a little bit luck along the way as well and ultimately we achieved what the skipper said was the greatest Test triumph under the current regime. We are pleased to be 1-0 up in a five-match series.”

McCullum, however, warned his side against complacency as the Indian side will be hungry to bounce back strongly in the series.

“Guys have taken a lot of confidence with the Hyderabad win but we also know that it is a long series and we got some work to do. India will bounce back strong but we certainly celebrated last night,” he said.