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"May not hit sixes": Brook hints at putting Bazball on hold to tackle Ashes elimination

Akshita Patel

Harry Brook to rethink on Bazball approach [Source: @ImTanujSingh/X.com]Harry Brook to rethink on Bazball approach [Source: @ImTanujSingh/X.com]

England’s Ashes campaign is hanging by a thread, and one of its biggest symbols of aggression is ready to press pause. Harry Brook has now admitted he may need to rethink his style as England head into the crucial third Test in Adelaide, trailing Australia 2-0 in the series.

Brook, the face of England’s fearless batting approach, is struggling. His numbers so far tell a worrying story. 

Across the first two Tests, the England vice-captain has managed just 98 runs in four innings, averaging 24.50. For this stature and talent, it has been a rare, quiet run. And Brook knows it.

Harry Brook to tame down aggression in Adelaide Test

Speaking to the media ahead of the Adelaide Test, Harry Brook openly accepted that blind aggression has not worked against Australia’s relentless bowling attack. 

He admitted that England have failed to read pressure moments well and that a more balanced approach is needed.

"Sometimes we've got to rein it in a little bit. Learn when to absorb the pressure a little bit more and then realise when the opportunity arises to put pressure back on them. I feel like I probably haven't done that as well as I usually do in this series so far. There's no reason behind that, I just haven't identified those situations well enough," Brook said.

Australia’s bowlers have exposed England’s flaws ruthlessly. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland have barely missed their lengths, while England’s batters have often played shots that weren’t quite on. 

Only Joe Root, with an average above 30, has looked comfortable against the Aussie attack.

Brook also spoke about the likely return of Nathan Lyon in Adelaide. While England may look to attack the off-spinner, Brook stressed that aggression doesn’t always mean sixes and fours. 

“He’s an extremely highly skilled bowler, he’s persistent and he takes a lot of load off their fast bowlers. We’ll obviously try to be aggressive against him and try to put him under pressure. But that may not be trying to hit sixes and fours all the time. We might have to rotate strike as much as possible, but just stay in the moment as much as possible, read the situations, read the pitch and play it accordingly," he added.

Rotating the strike, staying patient, and waiting for the right ball could be just as effective.

“They’ve been incredibly highly skilled and they’ve nailed their execution. You can’t take this bowling attack lightly, they very rarely miss. You’ve got to try and create your own bad ball. That might be me running down, might be me changing my guard or whatever.”

When England walk into Adelaide, the message is that this is do-or-die. Lose, and the Ashes are gone. Win and you live to survive another day.

For Harry Brook, this Test could define more than just a series. It could show whether England’s bold philosophy can evolve when it is truly tested.