As A Bowler It Is Quite Scary To Think Where The Game Is Headed - Ravichandran Ashwin On Bazball

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his views on Bazball, the success mantra for England’s Test resurgence in the last month.

Bazball has been coined by media professionals which resembles the attacking brand of cricket England’s current head coach Brendon McCullum was fond of playing during his time with the New Zealand national team.

England under Brendon McCullum so far in four Tests

Ahead of June 2022, England registered just one win in 17 Test matches which led to many changes in the board including Joe Root stepping down from the Test captaincy role. Since McCullum took over the charge players like Joe Root are adapting to play the reverse sweep and Stuart Broad is being reckoned to play the pinch-hitter role.

England became the first Test side to chase a target of over 250 in four straight games following the heroics of 277 at Lord’s, 299 at Trent Bridge, and 296 at Headingley against New Zealand before scripting the historic result against India at Edgbaston.

England rode on phenomenal hundreds by Joe Root (142) and Jonny Barston (114) to chase their highest total of 378 in Tests in the rescheduled fifth match against India.

It was amazing to watch: Ravichandran Ashwin on England’s new batting approach

Ashwin, who missed the one-off Test as India preferred Ravindra Jadeja ahead of him, said England’s new formula was amazing but at the same time, it serve as a nightmare for the bowlers.

“It was amazing to watch, but as a bowler, it is quite scary to think where the game is headed. I definitely think the ball and the pitches have a role to play in how England are playing, permitting a certain brand of cricket,” Ashwin said on the Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club Podcast.

“I think we need to be careful about this brand of cricket being the way forward. Test cricket has been the same for hundreds of years and there will be games and series that are played like that. Whether it’s the same brand of cricket you play all along is very debatable,” the Indian off-spinner further said.

England are currently playing against India in the ODI series having lost the first game by 10 wickets on Tuesday (July 12) at The Oval. Both the teams will face each other in the second ODI on Thursday at Lord’s.

Also Read: If Batters Play Reverse Sweep Then Bowlers Must Get LBW Even If It Pitches Outside Leg Stump- Ravichandran Ashwin