Ashes 2023: Can Bazball help England to make a comeback?

The term “Bazball” was coined a little over a year ago, but since then, it has gained popularity among cricket enthusiasts. The England squad uses bazball to play aggressive cricket during Test matches. Bazball cricket can be aggressive without just the batters making reckless, high-risk strokes. Bazball was viewed more as a strategy for making unconventional choices in the recently finished first Ashes Test match, where Australia defeated England by two wickets.

Has Bazball already backfired for England?

Jonny Bairstow, the wicketkeeper for England, was chosen for the team because of his batting skills, but it was clear that he struggled behind the stumps. Australia managed to overcome England by two wickets as a result of Bairstow’s costly errors in catching behind the stumps. One of the numerous errors that England committed as a result of their Bazball strategy was the inclusion of Bairstow. 

Moeen Ali’s inclusion

A perfect illustration of Bazball was Moeen Ali’s choice to come out of retirement and play in the Ashes. When Moeen bowled off-spin in the first game, he injured his fingertips. Moeen could only bowl 14 overs in the fourth innings after bowling 33 overs in the second. Joe Root had to throw 15 over in the fourth inning. Pat Cummins’ two sixes in one of Root’s overs, which helped Australia get back into the game, was the turning point of the match. 

Many eminent cricketers and experts disputed Moeen’s admission. The off-spinner was chosen over spinners competing in the 2023 County Championship. Mark Butcher, a former England hitter, responded to Moeen’s comeback. Butcher said, “I’m slightly baffled by the whole thing. There’s a lot of hoping going on. Jack Leach is a holding bowler for Ben Stokes right? Moeen Ali has never been a holding bowler in his entire career and has not played any red-ball cricket for two years. His Ashes record is pretty bad with bat and ball, and he has had no interest in playing long-form cricket ever since his retirement.” He was chosen over players like Rehan Ahmed, who had performed well in his Pakistani debut. Butcher further said, “It’s not like you’re bringing Michael Jordan out of retirement, is it? You’re not bringing somebody back who had a Botham’s Ashes in 1981, you’re bringing back someone who’s kind of done okay at times, and those times were a very long time ago.”

Jonny Bairstow

Although Bairstow was chosen because of his batsmanship, it was clear that he had trouble using the gloves behind the wicket. Because Bairstow was chosen ahead of Ben Foakes, who had impressed many with his wicketkeeping skills, Foakes was left off the squad for the first two Ashes games. Ollie Pope is the only member of the team that has the ability to keep wickets. 

Can Bazball help England to make a comeback in the Ashes?

Nasser Hussain and other experts think England can defeat Australia without Bazball. Nasser said on Sky Sports, “Remember, we’ve beaten Australia in England since 2001 playing the old-fashioned way – we didn’t need ‘Bazball’ to beat Australia.” To win the Ashes, England must prevail in at least three games. Australia would keep the trophy if the Ashes were drawn since they won the most recent series at home. 

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