- June 9, 2023
Steve Smith: We’ll wait and see how ‘Bazball’ fares in Ashes | Cricket News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: As Australian quicks put on a commanding performance against India on Day 2 of the ongoing World Test Championship final at the Oval, Steve Smith on Thursday said he is looking forward to how England continue with their ‘Bazball‘ style against them in the following Ashes series.
The Aussie pacers led by Pat Cummins fired in unison on the second day of the WTC Final as India found themselves in trouble at 151 for 5 at the close of play in reply to Australia’s first innings 469.
With the Ashes starting right after the WTC Final, Smith said England’s ultra-aggressive approach in red-ball cricket hasn’t “come up against us yet”.
“I think I said it initially when ‘Bazball’ started that I’m intrigued to see how it goes against our bowlers. I’ve said that all along. I think it’d be difficult on this kind of wicket – up and down and seaming around — it’s not easy to defend, let alone come out and swing. They’ve obviously done well against some other attacks, but they haven’t come up against us yet. So, we’ll see,” Smith said.
“I must say I’ve enjoyed watching the way they (England) have played and the way that I guess they’ve turned things around in the last 12 months or so, but it’s yeah we’ll wait and see how it comes off against us,” the former Australia skipper added.
England have won 11 of their 13 Tests since captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum joined forces last year after adopting ‘Bazball’ approach to red-ball cricket.
With just over a week out from the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, the opener in a five-match series, Smith fancied Australia’s chances of a first Ashes campaign triumph in England for 22 years.
Earlier, Smith helped establish Australia’s grip on the WTC final by spending just over five-and-a-half hours compiling 121, his 31st Test century.
He also shared a partnership of 285 with the more free-scoring Travis Head (163).
The 34-year-old Smith has now scored seven Test hundreds in England, amassing 774 runs in the drawn 2019 Ashes at an astounding average of 110.57.
His figures at the Oval alone are remarkable, with Smith now having scored three hundreds in four Tests at the ground.
“It was nice to spend a lot of time out there against some good bowlers on a challenging wicket after getting sent in,” he said.
“I’ll take a lot of confidence out of that and hopefully can keep building and have a successful summer here.
“I think in terms of English wickets it’s probably as close to Australia as you get. I’ve enjoyed playing here and it was nice to score a few out here again.”
India, defeated by New Zealand in the inaugural 2021 final, were in danger of conceding a colossal total when Australia resumed Thursday on 327-3.
But they fought back well in the field, with fast bowler Mohammed Siraj taking 4-108.
The Aussie pacers led by Pat Cummins fired in unison on the second day of the WTC Final as India found themselves in trouble at 151 for 5 at the close of play in reply to Australia’s first innings 469.
With the Ashes starting right after the WTC Final, Smith said England’s ultra-aggressive approach in red-ball cricket hasn’t “come up against us yet”.
“I think I said it initially when ‘Bazball’ started that I’m intrigued to see how it goes against our bowlers. I’ve said that all along. I think it’d be difficult on this kind of wicket – up and down and seaming around — it’s not easy to defend, let alone come out and swing. They’ve obviously done well against some other attacks, but they haven’t come up against us yet. So, we’ll see,” Smith said.
“I must say I’ve enjoyed watching the way they (England) have played and the way that I guess they’ve turned things around in the last 12 months or so, but it’s yeah we’ll wait and see how it comes off against us,” the former Australia skipper added.
England have won 11 of their 13 Tests since captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum joined forces last year after adopting ‘Bazball’ approach to red-ball cricket.
With just over a week out from the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, the opener in a five-match series, Smith fancied Australia’s chances of a first Ashes campaign triumph in England for 22 years.
Earlier, Smith helped establish Australia’s grip on the WTC final by spending just over five-and-a-half hours compiling 121, his 31st Test century.
He also shared a partnership of 285 with the more free-scoring Travis Head (163).
The 34-year-old Smith has now scored seven Test hundreds in England, amassing 774 runs in the drawn 2019 Ashes at an astounding average of 110.57.
His figures at the Oval alone are remarkable, with Smith now having scored three hundreds in four Tests at the ground.
“It was nice to spend a lot of time out there against some good bowlers on a challenging wicket after getting sent in,” he said.
“I’ll take a lot of confidence out of that and hopefully can keep building and have a successful summer here.
“I think in terms of English wickets it’s probably as close to Australia as you get. I’ve enjoyed playing here and it was nice to score a few out here again.”
India, defeated by New Zealand in the inaugural 2021 final, were in danger of conceding a colossal total when Australia resumed Thursday on 327-3.
But they fought back well in the field, with fast bowler Mohammed Siraj taking 4-108.
“Today if we hadn’t bowled well then maybe there would be 500-550 runs on the board,” he said.
(With inputs from AFP)
