Has Bazball spooked the Australians?

Day 5 of the first test of the Ashes series will an exciting challenge for both Australia and England.

The anticipation amongst fans around the world is what test cricket is all about. Who will blink first and who will take a one nil lead in the 5-test series?

Australia needs 174 runs to win with 7 wickets in hand. Warner, Labuschagne and Smith are all back in the shed so the heavy lifting will be on the shoulders of Khawaja, Head and Carey to get Australia home.

Irrespective of the result the most surprising aspect of the test is England have for whatever reason made Australia change the way they play the game, especially with the ball in hand.
The defensive fields and the ease of which the English batters have been able to get off strike is unusual at best. Ashes Test debutant Harry Brooks was again able to play a simple defensive shot to point to get off the mark in the 2nd innings.

After two successful ramps (one six and one four) by Root off Boland early on day 4, Alex Carey came up to the stumps and a fielder was placed on the boundary just behind 2nd slip. With a deep fine leg, deep square leg, short mid-wicket and mid on there was no mid-off.

If a keeper is up to the stumps the expectation would be for the bowler to bowl full and at the stumps. A straight drive for four back down the ground is far easier than a ramp to a yorker at leg stump or a bouncer with two fielders in the deep.

Apart from Roots ramp shots, what is Bazball?

The English batters are playing with freedom and intent. They’re playing attacking cricket, good cricket shots, moving the ball into the gaps and running hard between the wickets. It’s the same as how Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden played and the same way David Warner has played during his career. England’s batters are just doing it as a collective.

With defensive fields set there’s no real need to play Bazball, four singles and a two is still 6 an over.

It seemed odd in the 2nd innings how long it took Australia to bowl a few bouncers. I know the game has changed but if a batter ramped Dennis Lillee or Glenn McGrath, can you imagine where the next 5 balls would be bowled. A deep fine leg and a deep square leg and suddenly, the batter is being asked a question or two.

England are playing cricket with intent; they’ve been proactive and asking questions. Australia can still win the Test. Fascinating cricket, catches win matches.