Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Steve Waugh questions whether England have Plan B after Bazball

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Saturday, 10 June 2023 02:27
Steve Waugh has warned England they are set to be exposed by Australia in the Ashes if they don't have a back-up plan for when all-out attack doesn't come off.

England's 'Bazball' revolution in the past 12 months has revived Test cricket in the country, and prompted the most anticipated Ashes series in 17 years.

But Australia have made no secret of the fact they have serious question marks over whether it can withstand the Australian attack.

England have scored at 4.85 an over in the past year while racking up an 11-2 record in Test cricket, and five of their batters have scored at a strike-rate of above 75.

In contrast, Australia have made their game out of building pressure and strangling opponents with the tightest economy rate of any team in recent years.

Steven Smith cast doubt on England's approach on Thursday, when he questioned for a second time how it would work against Australia's attack.

Waugh is convinced it won't always come off, and said England were at serious risk of collapsing to their first Ashes series loss at home since 2001 if they didn't have back-up plans.

"That is the big question mark over so-called Bazball. What is Plan B? Have they got a Plan B?" Australia's former Test captain asked. "If they haven't then they are going to be found out.

"They have shown they are good enough to carry this style of cricket off but the ultimate test will be against a world-class bowling attack, which Australia has got.

"It is exciting but to me the jury is out at the moment. Does [Bazball] hold up under scrutiny against a really good bowling attack in maybe challenging conditions?"

Regardless, Waugh said he did not expect England to go away from the fearless approach.

"There is no doubt it won't work all the time but I think with [coach Brendon] McCullum and [captain Ben] Stokes they will have the courage to go through with it," Waugh said. "They can't chop and change. Have they got a back-up plan? I'm not sure. That might find them out."

Waugh's successor as Test captain, Ricky Ponting, said it was not impossible for England to pull off the ploy, but is adamant Australia can find answers to silence the hosts.

"I've got a few thoughts on what I'd be doing if I was an Australian fast bowler," Ponting said. "I think the reason the way England have played for the last couple of years is with this series in mind. They've been trying to find a brand of cricket that they can play that's going to win an Ashes series."

Read 128 times

Soccer

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA full can of beer thrown from the stands struck Mexico coach Javie...

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLyon have been banned from making any transfers in the January tran...

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

A brace from Luis Palma on Friday carried Honduras to a 2-0 Concacaf Nations League victory over Mex...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Jenkins talks NBA 'code' after no-call on Draymond

Jenkins talks NBA 'code' after no-call on Draymond

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Once again, the "code" word has come up in a game...

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSACRAMENTO, Calif. -- When De'Aaron Fox saw that he had 48 points i...

Baseball

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays hired former Cincinnati Reds manag...

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

EmailPrintFormer outfielder Al "The Bull" Ferrara died Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. He...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated