'That Is Garbage…' - Marnus Labuschagne On England's 'BazBall'

image-lofoqgdlBen Stokes and Jonny Bairstow during the 2023 Ashes (x.com)

England’s Test phenomenon ‘BazBall’ recently made its way to the dictionary. The term itself signifies aggressive batting approach, intended to enforce results in Test cricket. The ‘BazBall’ philosophy was first employed by England during their 2022 home season upon Brendon McCullum’s appointment as head Test coach and Ben Stokes promotion as Test captain.

The term is set to feature in Collins dictionary next year, however, it has been already featured in the online version. The definition of the word on the dictionary reads: “a style of Test cricket in which the batting side plays in a highly aggressive manner.”

Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne, currently in India for the 2023 World Cup, was recently asked to give his take over ‘BazBall’s’ induction into an official dictionary, to which the cricketer had a rather hilarious and a dismissive response in front of the reporters.


Labuschagne rubbishes BazBall’s inclusion in dictionary

Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne, upon learning about BazBall’s induction into a dictionary, shrugged off the move by calling it “garbage”. The cricketer said:

“Oh man, that is garbage. I don’t know what that is honestly.”


Watch: Marnus Labuschagne laughs off as BazBall gains prominence

It is worth noting that England’s ‘BazBall’ approach crumbled against Australia at the 2023 Ashes at home, as the five-match series was drawn levelled at 2-2.

So far, the aggressive technique has only worked out in England, particularly during their 2022 home season, and in Pakistan later in the same year where Ben Stokes and co. emerged victorious with a 3-0 margin.