'We've handled the hostility well'

ASHES Brendon McCullum has praised his England squad for the way they have reacted to the off-field “hostility” that has followed them in Australia.

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Television broadcaster Channel 7 claimed on Saturday that one of its camera operators was “physically confronted” by a member of England's security detail as the team were followed at Brisbane airport.

It was the latest example of the local media presenting a thorn in the touring team's side, following the reams of derogatory headlines, photographers trailing players on days off and even a drone despatched to monitor a round of golf in Perth.

At one stage, captain Ben Stokes was asked by a political correspondent if he wished to apologise to the people of Queensland after being snapped riding an e-scooter without the mandatory safety helmet.