‘It’s judgement time for the Bazball method’: Michael Vaughan on England’s road to Ashes win in Australia | Cricket News

With England winning an Ashes Test in Australia in 2011 during their 3-1 Ashes win, the team has not won a Test in Australia since the last three Ashes series in Australia. While the Brandon McCullum coached England team managed to draw the last Ashes in England in 2023, England would hope to end the Test win drought in Australia from 2011 during this year’s Ashes. Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan has called the 2025 Ashes series a judgement time for Bazball, a term coined for the aggressive style of play under the England coach.
“It’s judgement time for the Bazball method over the next 12 months for Ben Stokes and Baz McCullum. Does this risky style of play, entertaining brand of cricket, was it all worth it to win big series? The risky method of play won’t win in Australia. They’ll have to find a different gear, particularly with the bat against this quality,” Vaughan told News.com.au.
In the last 20 Test series, England have won 11, lost six, and drawn three series. Out of the team’s six series losses, two have come against India, one against Australia, one against West Indies and one against Pakan.
While England won their last series against New Zealand in New Zealand 2-1 with the likes of Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell and Joe Root in fine form, Vaughan believes that the batting unit has to bat sensibly along with a fit bowling attack this year.

“They’ll have to hope that Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Oli Stone, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Matt Potts…if they’re all fit England will have a chance because they’ll be able to bowl Australia out. Can the batting unit bat sensibly enough at times to get a decent score and not throw their wickets away when they’re on top in a game like in the last Ashes series in the first few Test matches. If they can do that they’re a chance, but it’s a tall order because winning here in Australia is not easy,” Vaughan said further.

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