Cricket pundit Michael Vaughan admits he’s still trying to fully grasp England’s ‘Bazball’ approach, highlighting its unpredictable, all-or-nothing nature in Test cricket.
The Bazball Enigma: Win Big or Lose Hard
Michael Vaughan observed that in the ‘Bazball’ era, England’s results are clear-cut: “They either blow teams away, chase brilliant or they get hammered.” There’s no room for the “boring draw,” as he put it, because England’s aggressive style rarely leads to stalemates.
This new approach brings a unique kind of uncertainty. Vaughan is particularly intrigued to see how England will respond if they face early batting collapses and are forced to “dig deep,” a scenario less common in their attacking game.
Questioning England’s Opening Moves
Vaughan expressed doubts about England’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss. He hoped captain Ben Stokes was reflecting on whether batting first would have been a better choice for his team.
He also voiced concerns about England’s bowling performance, especially given Shubman Gill’s impressive runs. There were moments in the field that seemed “ominous” to Vaughan, suggesting potential issues for England moving forward.
The former England captain noted that sometimes you bat first to wear down the opposition. He felt England, having fielded, appeared to play “three tired shots” initially, hinting at the mental and physical toll of being in the field.
India’s Fortune and England’s Resilience
From Vaughan’s perspective, everything aligned perfectly for India, even suggesting they were “lucky” to lose the toss. This was because their own captain had considered bowling first, inadvertently leading to a favourable situation for their batting lineup.
Despite India’s strong total, Vaughan found glimmers of hope later in the day. He praised Harry Brook and Joe Root for their resilience, noting how their partnership managed to “take the sting out of the game” after some quick wickets had fallen.
Puzzling Indian Tactics
Vaughan was particularly perplexed by India’s defensive field settings in the later stages of the day. He observed that India had several players on the boundary, which usually suggests a team is dominating, yet it was England who was trying to recover.
He theorized that India might have been “spooked” by England’s previous successful large chases, especially their remarkable comeback at Headingley a few years prior. This might have led to their cautious approach, despite the circumstances.
- Michael Vaughan believes Bazball results in decisive outcomes: dominant wins, heroic chases, or significant losses.
- He questioned England’s choice to bowl first and noted concerns about their bowling performance.
- Vaughan found India’s defensive field settings confusing, suggesting they might be wary of England’s chasing ability.
The ‘Bazball’ era continues to generate lively debate and keep everyone guessing, ensuring that Test cricket remains anything but dull.
