Rassie van der Dussen challenges England to play Bazball cricket against South Africa

Ahead of South Africa's trip to England for a full-fledged tour comprising of 3-Test, 3-ODI, and 3-T20Is, batter Rassie van der Dussen has sounded warning shots to the hosts.

Dussen, who himself follows an aggressive approach towards batting, has asked English batters to do the same against the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi.

According to IOL, Dussen said, “I think the big challenge in playing that way is that you are not going to be consistent. If we come out with a good bowling performance or it doesn’t go well for them, there will be a few question marks if they get bowled out cheaply in a first innings, or guys get caught hitting the ball straight up or playing loosely.

“Those are the challenges for them, we have the plans, we know what has worked for us. They are coming with a slightly different mindset and strategy, which has gone well for them. Let's see them do that against our bowlers.”

Under Brendon McCullum, England have adopted the Bazball approach which saw them chase 378 against India at Edgbaston, 299 against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, and 296 against the same opposition at Leeds.

Dussen spoke about why it is easier for them to go for such targets.

“You’ve got to look at the position they were in before these last four Tests; they were last in the Test championship, so it was almost a case that they didn’t have anything to lose, because they were losing anyway,” the Rajasthan Royals player added.

The 33-year-old talked about how McCullum and Jonny Bairstow are key contributors to this winning way. 

“Knowing a bit about McCullum, from talking to guys who have played with and under him, he’s aggressive in his approach. In these four matches it worked. He’s also been the coach of teams who adopted a similar mindset where it hasn’t worked. I think the philosophy, the mindset that players talk about is one thing, but they also have players in form. 

Jonny Bairstow has four hundreds in the last month, which is absolutely ridiculous. Any game plan works when guys are in form.”

Dussen showcases a decent record against England, scoring 274 runs from four Tests. 

South Africa will play their first ODI from July 19, followed by T20Is from July 27, with the Tests beginning on August 17.