Ashes 2023: How We Want To Play Right Throughout Was Superb - Brendon McCullum's Subtle Dig At Nasser Hussain's 'We Didn't Need 'Bazball' To Beat Australia'

Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain was critical of Bazball’s approach after Australia’s win in the first Test of the Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. He said that his side used to play in an old-fashioned way and they didn’t lose Ashes in England in 2001.

England’s Bazball approach was the talking point of the Edgbaston Test. The home side continued their aggressive approach and entertained many on the field. The Ben Stokes-led side bossed the game for the most part but couldn’t get past the finishing line.

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For the first three innings and the majority of the fourth innings, England was on top and were hot favourites to win the game. They set Australia a target of 280 runs to chase and reduced them to 227/8. However, after that, they failed to pick up the two wickets as Australia’s tailenders took them home.

Also Read: Ashes 2023: “Marnus Labuschagne At The Moment Does Look Like He’s Really Caught On The Crease” – Matthew Hayden

Australia skipper Pat Cummins scored unbeaten 44 runs and along with Nathan Lyon (16*) batted exceptionally well and took a lead of 1-0. Notably, England hasn’t lost the series against Australia at home since 2001 and it’ll be a great challenge for Ben Stokes to keep that record intact after the loss in the first game.

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Nasser Hussain highlighted that England lost a game in New Zealand from a similar kind of situation and that match along with Edgbaston Test should’ve been won by them. He elaborated:

“Remember, we’ve beaten Australia in England since 2001 playing the old-fashioned way. We didn’t need ‘Bazball’ to beat Australia. They’ve got some serious players and some seriously tough players as well. You can’t hide behind that (wanting to entertain).

“England lost in New Zealand as well, if you remember. I know they’ve had Ireland in between, but now they’ve lost here and there are two games of cricket they could have won, should have won.”

Also Read: Ashes 2023: Obviously, He Didn’t Keep Well – Tim Paine Backs England To Play Jonny Bairstow Despite Poor Game With Gloves

Ashes 2023: The application to how we want to play right throughout was superb – Brendon McCullum on Nasser Hussain’s dig

Following Nasser Hussain’s comments, Brendon McCullum made a cheeky comment, saying that their application throughout the game was superb and that losing two close matches is the nature of the game. He explained:

“The application to how we want to play right throughout was superb. A couple of things didn’t quite go our way at times as well, but that’s the nature of the game.”

England would be hoping for a better result in the second match. The second Test of the Ashes 2023 is slated to take place at Lord’s in London. The game is scheduled to be taken place on 28th June.

Also Read: Ashes 2023: Tim Paine Feels Ben Stokes’ Ego Is Forcing Him To Back Bazball Style In Test Cricket

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