Because the countdown begins for the extremely anticipated Ashes 2025-26 in Australia, the excitement surrounding England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ strategy is as soon as once more heating up. Below the management of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, England have revolutionized Take a look at cricket with their fearless batting fashion — typically throwing warning to the wind in pursuit of dominance. Whereas this strategy has introduced leisure and blended outcomes, it has additionally stirred debates about its sustainability, particularly towards Australia’s well-drilled assault. Followers on either side are eagerly awaiting one other fiery contest as England put together to check their attacking template within the difficult Australian circumstances.
Adam Gilchrist takes a dig at England’s Bazball
Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist has reignited the pre-Ashes rivalry by taking a pointed jab at England’s Bazball. Responding to opener Zak Crawley’s feedback that ‘Bazball winds the Aussies up,’ Gilchrist brushed apart the notion, insisting that Australia had been enjoying an aggressive model of cricket lengthy earlier than England gave it a reputation.
“We had been doing it 20 years earlier than them. It’s simply the best way you play cricket. No, it (Bazball) doesn’t wind me up. It makes for compelling viewing. Convey it on,” mentioned Gilchrist throughout an look on Kayo Sports activities.
Crawley’s assertion, made in The Occasions, recommended that England’s daring batting fashion unsettled Australia throughout the 2023 Ashes, which led to a 2-2 draw. Nonetheless, Gilchrist — an important a part of Australia’s dominant period within the early 2000s — dismissed that principle, reminding everybody that gamers like himself, Ricky Ponting, and Matthew Hayden had already mastered the artwork of attacking Take a look at cricket lengthy earlier than the Bazball label got here into existence.
Gilchrist’s response underlines the aggressive stress build up earlier than the subsequent collection, the place either side will look to make an announcement — England to show their technique works abroad, and Australia to indicate that they continue to be the true masters of aggressive Take a look at cricket.
Additionally READ: From Ravi Shastri to Adam Gilchrist: Full list of commentators for Australia vs India ODI and T20I series 2025
Gilchrist questions England’s ‘ethical Ashes’ speak
The legendary wicketkeeper additionally addressed Crawley’s feedback in regards to the ‘ethical Ashes,’ a time period that emerged after the controversial 2023 collection. England’s frustration following Jonny Bairstow’s stumping by Alex Carey at Lord’s led to heated debates, with some English gamers and followers claiming that they had gained the ethical victory regardless of the collection ending in a draw. Gilchrist was fast to query the logic behind that narrative.
“Bazball actually winds them up, doesn’t it? Which is nice. In the event that they get wound up, that’s higher for us. All that speak after the final collection in regards to the ‘ethical Ashes’ — that was only a consequence of us drawing the collection. In my eyes, in the event that they’d gained, they might by no means have mentioned it, so it’s a praise that they felt the necessity,” added Gilchrist.
Recognized for redefining the wicketkeeper’s function along with his explosive batting, Gilchrist amassed 5,570 runs in 96 Checks at a strike charge of 82 — numbers that again his declare of Australia being the true pioneers of attacking Take a look at cricket. Together with his feedback including spice to the build-up, followers can anticipate one other emotionally charged and fiercely aggressive Ashes collection later this 12 months.
Additionally READ: Stuart Broad responds to David Warner’s bold prediction; labels Australia the ‘weakest team’ ahead of Ashes 2025-26
