File photo of Sam Billings© Twitter
Since Brendon McCullum took charge as head coach and Ben Stokes replaced Joe Root as Test captain, England have thrived under the attacking ‘Bazball’ philosophy in the longest format. After being thrashed by Australia in the Ashes, England defeated New Zealand 3-0 at home, before also beating India in the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The Stokes-led side now face South Africa for a three-game Test series. Ahead of the Test series, South African captain Dean Elgar believed England could look foolish in the long run if he adhered to the ‘Bazball’ philosophy.
However, England wicketkeeper batter Sam Billings has hit back at Elgar, saying it would be ‘pretty stupid’ on the tour side to overlook the approach.
“We beat an international team in four days by an inning by scoring a way of 5.74 per over. You’d be pretty stupid to ignore that, if I’m honest. If that’s not a wake-up call.. .. because we’re not even the best XI So it’s up to them really but I think that’s a pretty strong statement in the way we want the cricket to be played but also be able to play it out and having the players to do that was really impressive,” Billings told Dailymail.co.uk.
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Billings’ comments came after he led the England Lions to an innings and 56-run victory over South Africa in a tour game in Canterbury earlier this week.
The first Test between England and South Africa will be played at the Lord’s Cricket Ground from 17 August.
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