Bazsquall

John Millward | June 28, 2023

Either side of the breathtaking opening test of a much-anticipated Ashes series, almost all of the discourse has surrounded England’s style of play, allegedly referred to as “Bazball”.

But while the very mention of the ubiquitous term may cause numerous eyes to roll, I’m fascinated by how desperate some are to see it fail. There appears to be a legion of ex-players, journalists and fans, utterly determined to prove that such an unorthodox and radical method cannot possibly succeed in the storied surroundings of test cricket.

“Just wait until you try it against this bowling attack or on this type of pitch”, seems to be the belligerent cry from the detractors who are waiting with bated breath to take immense pleasure in England’s adventurous approach inevitably crashing and burning.

Is this just the latest example of cricket’s conservative core rejecting anything that looks too different or innovative, or is it something wider?

Granted much of the resistance and hostility comes down to the natural rivalry and seemingly compulsory phoney war between England and Australia, however the opposition from the Antipodes has taken on a particularly intriguing angle.

Traditionally Australia has always valued attacking cricket and attacking cricketers, particularly captains, with phrases such as ‘taking the game on’, ‘moving the game forward’ and ‘lose-to-win’ part of the regular lexicon Down Under.

This leaves us Aussies in a tight spot, unsure of whether to argue that England’s tactics simply cannot work or whether we invented them in the first place. Many have suggested that the Poms are just reinventing the wheel of Haydos charging down the pitch against the new ball or that it even goes as far back as Rod Marsh, of course formally an England selector.

Personally I don’t think it can be argued that England’s current approach is an unprecedented one, as while Australia’s all-conquering sides of Hayden’s era did score at revolutionary rates, it was more a function of organic dominance than a concerted effort to play reverse ramps and put the bowlers under pressure in almost any circumstance. However such an argument is unlikely to win the war of words, which, it appears, is what really counts.

With that in mind England’s players have added to the nonsense, pushing the narrative that their tactical blueprint has somehow afforded them the psychological advantage, despite the small detail of actually losing the match, proving that while Pat Cummins can calmly recount Shakespeare trivia, Ben Stokes will continue to hurl inanimate objects over a pub roof.

Ultimately we are left with four tests remaining in what could be one of the most entertaining and memorable Ashes series’ of recent time and much of that will be down to the hosts’ vanguard which may still lead them to regaining the urn.

However if it doesn’t you’ll be sure to feel the glee of those who told you all along that it couldn’t work and will likely celebrate more raucously than the victorious Australian team themselves.