R Ashwin on Why Bazball Brand of Cricket Players “Need To Be Careful.”
Since Brendon McCullum became England’s Test head coach, the team has swept New Zealand 3-0 at home and then defeated India in the fifth rescheduled Test to even the series at two games each. What stood out in both games was the aggressive style of cricket England played. England scored 378 runs against India, their highest successful chase in a Test match. Since McCullum also played the same aggressive brand of cricket during his playing days, the name “Bazball” for this aggressive style of cricket was inspired by his nickname, Baz.
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Spinner R Ashwin advised players to “be careful about Bazball brand of cricket.”
On the Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club podcast, he said, “As a bowler, it is quite frightening to think where the game is headed. It was amazing to watch.” “I firmly believe that England’s playing style and the pitches’ ability to support a particular brand of cricket are related.
“I believe we need to exercise caution when considering this style of cricket as the future. There will be matches and series play in the same manner as they have for hundreds of years in Test cricket. It’s highly debatable whether you play the same style of cricket that you have the entire time.
Additionally, Ashwin made a comment about how the ODI format no longer maintains a balance between the bat and ball.
“In the past, bowlers had a voice in the one-day format. Even I, a cricket badger and nut, turn the TV off after a point, which is genuinely very concerning for the way the game is played. When those ebbs and flows vanish, cricket ceases to exist. It’s just a longer version of T20,” Ashwin said.
“It’s a matter of relevance, and ODI cricket needs to find that relevance, in my opinion. It must choose a location.
However, For India, Ashwin has participated in 86 Tests, 113 ODIs, and 51 T20Is. In these competitions, he has taken 442, 151, and 61 wickets, respectively.
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