Ashes 2023: Ian Healy Claims That England Are Overthinking By Shortening The Boundary Ropes To Support Baz-Ball

Former Australia wicket-keeper Ian Healy has questioned the England National Cricket Team‘s decision of shortening the boundary ropes for the upcoming Ashes 2023 Test series against Australia, claiming that the hosts are overthinking things.

Under ICC regulations, boundaries must be between 59 and 82 meters from the wicket. The exact length, however, is in the hands of the ground staff and the cricket board in power, which is the England Cricket Board (ECB) in this case

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A UK Newspaper had recently reported that England are looking to decrease the boundary length to accommodate the attacking Baz-ball style (developed by England Test head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes), which sees the team play ultra-aggressive cricket.

Also read: Ashes 2023: “Jofra Archer’s Fitness Will Be A Concern For Ben Stokes-Led England” – Andrew Strauss

While it is said that shorter boundaries will help faster scoring, Ian Healy claimed that scoring quickly would be the least of England’s worries. While talking to SENQ Breakfast, the 59-year-old had this to say –

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“Boundaries are the least of their worries. Why would they bother? There’s no need for that. Mis-hits will go for six, but that’s OK. Lots of modern-day mis-hits go for six anyway. I don’t feel that’s anything but clogging up your mind and overthinking too badly.

They would know we’re going to bounce them. We’re coming at their armpits and their chest logos. So get your chest guards on. They’re going to make those square-of-the-wicket boundaries a little bit shorter so a mis-hit pull or hook might carry.”

Also read: Ashes 2023: “I Just Want The Whole Series To Grip The Nation” – Stuart Broad Speaks On England’s Mindset Heading Into The Ashes

Ian Healy says Josh Hazlewood really needs to prove himself in the upcoming Ashes series

Ian Healy opines that Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood would need to prove himself in the upcoming Ashes Test series against England.

Hazlewood suffered an injury in his Achilles tendon just before the Border-Gavaskar trophy, earlier this year. It has been four months and he is still out.

An essential part of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) run to playoffs in IPL 2022, Josh Hazlewood will finally join up with the team halfway through the tournament, before representing Australia in the Ashes.

Stating that the right-arm pacer will have to prove himself against England, Ian Healy questioned the severity of the injury.

“Hazelwood really has to prove himself. He’s just coming back to the IPL. That was a four-month Achilles strain, not even surgery. I don’t want him to spend so much time with his injuries,” said Ian Healy.

Also read: Ashes 2023: “He’s A Champion Player” – Mark Wood Backs Jofra Archer To be Ready For Test Series Against England

Australia will tour England for Ashes 2023 right after the Aussies take on India in the World Test Championship final from June 7-11. The 5 Test series will commence on June 16 and will run till July 31.

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