Australian cricket legend Glenn McGrath says England should be “more honest” about accepting when the Test team’s new attacking style of play is not working.
Since Brendon McCullum became coach and Ben Stokes captain last year – following a disastrous Ashes tour Down Under – the term “Bazball” has engrossed the sport and become entrenched in England’s tactics.
The term – referencing the coach’s nickname – refers to a more aggressive approach to Test cricket, whereby batters are encouraged to be less defensive and score more quickly, but increasing the risk of being dismissed.
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Since losing the 2021-22 Ashes series 4-0 in Australia, England’s Test team has beaten New Zealand 3-0 at home, drawn with them 1-1 in New Zealand, beaten South Africa 2-1 at home, beaten Pakistan 3-0 away, beaten minnows Ireland in a standalone match, and most recently drawn with the Aussies 2-2.
Bazball backfired in the opening Ashes match when Stokes declared the first innings at 8-393, only for Australia to win the game by two wickets. The Aussies also won the second match, and while England largely dominated to win the third, and again in the rained-out fourth match, their efforts proved too little too late.
Following the opening loss at Edgbaston, England villain Ollie Robinson revealed McCullum had told his troops “it feels like we’ve won”, and added, “If it wasn’t for us, the Australians wouldn’t have even had a chance to win”.
Batter Harry Brook also tried to claim England would score a “moral victory” if they won The Oval match, which they did.
Those comments were laughed off and labelled delusional by Australians, and while McGrath likes the Bazball approach, he says England needs to be more realistic.
All Wickets taken by Australia in the 2023 Ashes Series
“Having watched England up close throughout this series, I am still a massive fan of what Ben Stokes is doing. I love the concept of backing yourself to take the positive option and play on the front foot,” McGrath wrote in a column for the BBC.
“I just wish occasionally England would be more honest with the messaging.
“We have seen them come out and (be) ultra-positive, like at Lord’s when Ben Duckett said England’s attack of Australia short balls that cost them three wickets was the right ploy.
“Sugar-coating everything does not work. People see right through it.”
McGrath says there is “room for both” England’s approach and a more traditional, slower batting style in Test cricket.
The legendary fast bowler says “winning in Australia will be Bazball’s next frontier”.
The two Test teams will next meet Down Under in the 2025-26 summer.
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