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Vaughan Urges Joe Root Not To Be A 'BazBaller' Amidst IND vs ENG Tests

image-lsekg7koJoe Root has scored just 52 runs in 4 innings vs IND (BCCI)

Michael Vaughan is of the opinion that Joe Root is better off without England’s self-employed no-holds-barred ‘BazBall’ approach with the bat. The former English captain advised the senior batter to play like his original self, considering his traditional approach has already fetched him over 10,000 Test runs.

Vaughan also wants Ben Stokes-led England to strike a balance between aggression and control if they are to make their way back into the ongoing five-match Test series in India.


Vaughan advices Joe Root to play traditionally

The England team employed an ultra-aggressive approach with the bat in Tests ever since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum were appointed as captain and head coach of the side.

Former captain Michael Vaughan recently claimed that the current English team has become “too difficult to criticize” because their no-holds-barred aggression has kept fans “absolutely gripped”. 

However, the cricketer-turned-commentator also added that the team should strike a proper balance, considering the ‘BazBall’ approach has occasionally costed them several key matches and series, much like the 2023 Ashes at home and an overseas Test assignment in New Zealand.

Moreover, the 49-year-old also cited England’s latest defeat to India in the second Test of the series at Vizag. 

“England have become a difficult team to criticise too much because they are so good to watch. Every game they play has us all absolutely gripped. However, I do worry that they might become a team who do all this great work only to not actually win very much. They didn't win the Ashes when they should have done and now they have let India back into a series when they still have a load of big names, including Virat Kohli to come back," Vaughan wrote in his colomn for Telegraph.

Michael Vaughan further advised a struggling Joe Root to get back to the basics as his traditional batting approach has already fetched him over 10,000 Test runs.

Compatible with Vaughan’s claims, Root has managed to tally just 52 runs across all four innings against India in the ongoing series. Maintaining a substandard average of just 13, his recent performance also brought his Test career average down below 50. 

“But Joe Root should forget it. He has 10,000 Test runs playing like Joe Root. He doesn't need to be a 'Bazballer'. It is time for someone in the management to put an arm around Joe and say 'please just be yourself'. I think it's as simple as the fact that he is too wrapped up in 'Bazball', the whole ethos of excitement and entertainment," Vaughan added.

Joe Root and the rest of his English teammates will now face hosts India in the third Test of the five-match series between February 15 and February 19. With series tied at 1-1 after the first two games, the much-awaited contest will be hosted by the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.