Jason Gillespie Backstabs Pat Cummins And Australia As He Lauds Ben Stokes Ahead Of Lord's Test

Former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie stated that he was impressed with England’s aggressive style of play in the ongoing Ashes series. Jason Gillespie highlighted England skipper Ben Stokes’ innovative field placements, particularly when the bowlers didn’t get help from the surface.

England suffered a two-wicket loss in the first Test of the Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston. The hosts conceded a crucial 1-0 lead to the Pat Cummins-led team. The Ben Stokes-led team will take on Australia in the second Test of the five-match series at Lord’s Cricket Ground starting on June 28.

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I Thought Both Were Very Effective – Jason Gillespie 

Jason Gillespie discussed England’s Bazball approach during a Sony Sports media interaction, highlighting Stokes’ captaincy during the first Test match.

“I really liked Ben Stokes’ captaincy during the first Test match. He employed some unusual fields, Some different fields. I thought he was excellent. But what we did see was two contrasting captains of styles and I thought both were very effective,” Gillespie told News18 CricketNext.

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He Was Praised For Innovation – Jason Gillespie 

The legendary pacer pointed out that Ben Stokes made effective use of defensive fielding and employed unique strategies in the match.

“Pat Cummins was probably criticised in some quarters about his defensive field settings particularly with the ball and particularly early in the match,” he added.

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“Ben Stokes did some of that as well, but he didn’t seem to cop the criticism Pat Cummins did for some reason even though he employed for periods of time, exactly the same fields as Pat Cummins. But because Ben starts employed some quirky fields unusual, field placings, he was praised for innovation,” he further stated.

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They Strategized Very Well – Jason Gillespie 

The former Australian cricketer stated that the Australian team management had prepared and planned well for the English batters. Gillespie said they used tactical defensive field settings to counter their attacking style.

“It was really clear that Pat Cummins and the Australian coaches and they strategized very well, they planned very well. And they decided that well, you know what?” he continued.

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“This England team are coming out and playing the ‘Bazball’ and being ultra-aggressive. We’re going to employ a couple of defensive fielders, because they’re going to play that way anyway,” he concluded.

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