- It’s becoming increasingly clear that the much hyped Ashes series between the two oldest rivals, Australia and England, no longer evokes keen contest or, for that matter, a battle of equals since Team Australia is way ahead of England on several fronts. The recent scoreline of 4-1 in favourof the team Down Under is unsurprising since the visiting Team England was completely outplayed in all departments of the game. Yes, the anomaly must be the home team’s loss to the visitors in the MCG Boxing Day Test, which was concluded in two days. However, the ease with which Team Australia completely overhauled England must raise compelling questions about the attacking approach adopted by the latter. Yes, I am referring to the Bazball approach.
PC: Al Jazeera
- As cricket connoisseurs and fans alike know, Bazball is an attacking intent adopted by Team England ever since the combo of Head Coach Brendon McCullum and Captain Ben Stokes joined hands to guide the future of the team. Although initially successful, the attacking play, irrespective of the situation, has apparently run its course, as the repeated failure to tame the more accomplished team in Tests shows. For all that we know, Test cricket demands a waiting game where every session deserves greater attention and play along suitably, keeping in mind the requirements of the team. Simply embracing attack as the best form of defence policy in Test cricket will yield only one result. The opposition will win hands down in no time. Simple.
PC: Mathrubhumi English
- Mind you, Test cricket is not a slam-bang format like the T20s. The classical format demands suitable skills, patience, and adaptability, depending on the situation where the bat and the ball are provided with parity. Yes, the advent of T20s has made cricket become more adventurous, and cricketers are prepared to take more risks compared to how Test matches were played just a couple of decades back. There are hardly any drawn Test matches of late owing to the attacking instincts on display by the modern-day cricketers. Nonetheless, Tests also necessitate cricketers to grind through the process without succumbing to the temptations of instant glory. This was sorely missing from Team England’s arsenal and hence was easily rolled over in the Ashes series.
PC: Times of India
- The only saving grace for Team England must be to see the old warhorse Joe Root finally able to score a hundred in Australia for the first time. He eventually ended up scoring two hundreds. The emergence of Jacob Bethell scoring a century in the losing cause in Sydney is a plus too. The rest of the squad failed to rise to the occasion to put up a credible fight. Notably, the home team was without the services of some of the premier pace bowlers like Josh Hazelwood and Captain Pat Cummins, who could play only one Test. Star pacer Mitchell Starck was in terrific bowling form right through the series and emerged as the leading wicket-taker. Little wonder that he was crowned the Player of the Series. For now, Team England is left to lick their wounds.
