“We’ll see what happens in their approach”: Steve Smith doubts the effectiveness of ‘Bazball’ against the Australian Pace attack
The England Test team has taken the entire cricketing world by storm with their new approach to Test Cricket which is now being popularly called ‘Bazzball’. They have chased down totals in excess of 275 in the fourth innings for four consecutive Tests under the leadership of the newly-appointed captain and coach duo of Ben Stokes and Brendon Mccullum. They even recorded their highest successful chase in their rich history of Test cricket against India in the recently concluded fifth Test at Edgbaston. England chased down 378 with ease as Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow scored unbeaten centuries.
Australian Vice Captain Steve Smith has commented on this new approach of the England team and said that he would like to see if England will continue the same approach against the Australian pace bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
“Bazzball is entertaining, but when you come on a wicket that’s got some grass and Hazlewood, Cummins and Starc are rolling in at you. We’ll see what happens in their approach,” said Smith.
England have failed to win a Test match in Australia since Ashes 2010-11 as they got whitewashed 5-0 in 2013-14 ashes and lost in 2017-18 and 2021-22 by a margin of 4-0. It will be interesting to see if this approach by England turns out to be successful when they play outside of their home.
England were criticized for their approach during a Test at Lord’s against New Zealand in 2021 as they didn’t attempt to chase 273 in 75 overs and settled for a draw. They even delayed their declaration against India in the first Test in Chennai in 2021 keeping in mind Rishabh Pant’s heroics at Gabba and Sydney.
England have come a long way from there as now they are making teams think twice before setting a total in the fourth innings for them to chase. It remains to be seen whether ‘Bazzball’ will be successful for them in foreign conditions.
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