'It’s Not About Entertaining But...': England Legend Voices Concerns Over ‘Bazball’ Approach
England lost the 1st Test at Edgbaston [AP Photos]
Ben Stokes and Co. have come under fire from former captain Geoffrey Boycott, who has accused them of getting too caught up in "Bazball" instead of prioritising victory.
Boycott also expressed concern that England's approach may relegate the “oldest rivalry of cricket - The Ashes” to nothing more than an exhibition series.
It is worth highlighting that England, under the captaincy of Ben Stokes and the coaching of Brendon McCullum, has displayed a fearless style of play in Test cricket.
This bold approach has yielded significant dividends, with England suffering only three defeats in the 14 test matches played under their leadership of Stokes and McCullum.
However, England's fortunes took a downturn this time around in the opening test match of the ongoing Ashes series against Australia as their approach failed to bear fruit, resulting in a two-wicket defeat.
Here’s what Geoffrey Boycott wrote in his column for 'The Telegraph:
"England are in danger of reducing the Ashes to an exhibition.”
“England have got carried away with Bazball and seem to think entertaining is more important than winning. But England supporters want one thing more than anything else -- to win the Ashes."
Speaking at the post-match press conference after Australia clinched the first test, England captain Ben Stokes conceded that if England hadn't declared the innings on the first day of the match, the fans wouldn't have been able to enjoy the full five days of entertainment.
Meanwhile, Boycott maintains an entirely different stance, emphasizing that while entertainment is all well and good, England's ultimate aim should be to defeat Australia.
“Scoring fast runs, whacking lots of fours and sixes is lovely. It is great. But only if England do not lose sight of the big prize which is to beat Australia. If at the end of the series Australia go home with the Ashes we will feel sick, regardless of how much we have been entertained."
Furthermore, the former England captain highlighted that if the Three Lions doesn’t prioritize winning, it would go against the very essence of cricket's oldest rivalry and the Ashes would lose its true significance.
“If England are not playing to win then these Ashes Tests are not that important. They are only exhibition matches. They have got it back to front. It is not about entertaining and then winning. It is about winning first."
The second Test of the ongoing series is set to take place at the iconic Lord’s from June 28.
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