England aiming 'for the stars' with India, Australia Tests on horizon

After their one-off Test against Zimbabwe, England await challenges in the form of India's inbound tour and an away series in Australia.

England are committed to building further on the platform that has seen them improve their Test run in recent years, according to head coach Brendon McCullum.

Under McCullum's leadership, England have won 22 of their 35 Tests, a major improvement from the time he took over when they had just one win from their previous 17 Tests. The New Zealander had brought about a visible change in their approach, making them a more attacking outfit with the bat and the ball.

But the base having been set, McCullum is eyeing further gains in the upcoming World Test Championship assignments.

"We're not trying to pick this team up any more. It's a matter of taking this team from a good team into being something English people are really proud of," McCullum told the BBC Radio 5 Live Cricket show.

And opportunity beckons England in the form of the five-Test India challenge at home starting in June, and then a five-game Ashes tour Down Under in the winter, both of which will be key series in the next World Test Championship cycle.

But neither series will be an easy outing. Despite losing some of their prime batting assets to retirements, India still have a potent pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah.

Meanwhile Australia, the no. 1 ranked side in ICC Test rankings, haven't lost a home Test to England since the 2010/11 season.

"We're actually travelling pretty good but there's an opportunity now," McCullum added. "We're working from a position of strength but now's the time where we shoot for the stars."

"There's no greater opportunity than playing in big series against the best opposition on the biggest stage under the brightest lights to be able to test that."

England are yet to win a Test series against Australia or India under McCullum, though they have had their moments against each of their opponents, with four Test wins over the last three years.

They will also be boosted by the return of their regular captain and talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has recovered from a hamstring surgery, and will return to lead the side against Zimbabwe.

McCullum is excited at the prospect of reuniting with the 33-year-old, believing his presence will be a catalyst to lift the entire side.

"He [Stokes] is unbelievably driven, to push himself, to push his teammates, to win at all costs," McCullum said.

"We're very lucky to have him in the chair because he's going to be very strong about trying to push this team to the next level."

Despite keeping an eye on the future, McCullum remains focused on England's immediate assignment against the Chevrons, who will play Test cricket in the nation for the first time in 22 years.

"This game has an amazing ability to bring you back down to earth if you don't have the respect for the game or the respect for the opposition.

"We go into it as favourites so we need to make sure we're rock hard fit and ready to go and make good decisions under pressure."