File photo of Brendon McCullum© AFP
England have been in great shape this summer, having won all four exhibition games they have played. Coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes have formed a formidable partnership in the game’s longest form and among them the Three Lions have played an attacking type of cricket, which the English press has labeled ‘Bazball’. England defeated India in the rescheduled fifth test at Edgbaston and now test coach Brendon McCullum has called ‘Bazball’ a “foolish term”.
“No, I have no idea what Bazball is, I’ve tried a little bit, but the guys were fantastic, couldn’t have wished for a better start. I’m sure our guys will try and still keep a really positive approach. I think that the real key isn’t just the crash and burn when we look at the approach to how the guys did it that’s why I don’t really like that silly term people throw out there because there’s quite a bit of thought going into how the guys got their making appearances and when they put pressure on bowlers and which bowlers they put pressure on. There are also times when they’ve absorbed the pressure beautifully too,” McCullum told Adam Gilchrist on SEN WA Breakfast.
Earlier this week, Australian batter Steve Smith gave his take on ‘Bazball’ by saying if it will be the same as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood run into a bowl.
“I saw those (comments) appear on one of the feeds somewhere. That’s right, it’s going to be a big challenge when we go up against Australia. It will challenge our method and it will challenge what we can achieve and that’s pretty exciting I think. Isn’t that what the game is about? It’s to revive yourself a little bit and then face the very best,” McCullum said.
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“I do believe that both New Zealand and India are two very, very good cricket clubs. Australia is a different kind of challenge because of the Ashes’ history and the rivalry that exists there,” he continued.
England and Australia will play in the Ashes next year.
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