Ashes 2023: Steve Waugh Questions England's 'Bazball' Approach In Test Cricket

Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh has questioned England’s ultra-aggressive Bazball approach to Test cricket ahead of Ashes 2023. The series starts on June 16 with the first Test in Edgbaston.

Australia are the defending champions of the Ashes having won the series 4-0 in the 2021-22 series. Playing against England away from home, they need to cope up with England’s new technique to playing Test cricket. The Ben Stokes– Brendon McCullum pair have won 11 Test matches in their reign with the last one being against Ireland which was a 10-wicket win.

Waugh said that the England team cannot resort to plan B in case their Bazball approach fails. He further said that the England bowlers will be in trouble if they prepare batting-friendly wickets.

Have They Got A Plan B: Steve Waugh On England’s Bazball Approach

“That is the big question mark over so-called Bazball. What is Plan B? Have they got a Plan B? If they haven’t then they are going to be found out. They have shown they are good enough to carry this style of cricket off but the ultimate test will be against a world-class bowling attack, which Australia has got,” Waugh was quoted as saying on cricket.com.au.

“It is exciting but to me the jury is out at the moment. Does (Bazball) hold up under scrutiny against a really good bowling attack in maybe challenging conditions?” he further stated.

England’s approach to Test cricket has changed completely under the Stokes-McCullum era. Recently, Stokes said that England would not change their tactics against the Aussies. Waugh said while Bazball might not work out every time, the team under Stokes and McCullum find ways to fight back. However, he is not sure if they have a plan B in case it doesn’t work out.

Bazball Won’t Work All The Time: Steve Waugh

“There is no doubt it won’t work all the time but I think with (coach Brendon) McCullum and (captain Ben) Stokes they will have the courage to go through with it. They can’t chop and change. Have they got a back-up plan? I’m not sure. That might find them out,” Waugh concluded saying.

Also Read: Ashes 2023: “We’re Going To Play Without Fear” – Ben Stokes Issues A Warning Before The Ashes