‘No Bazball, no stupid shots’: Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan laud England’s ‘sensible’ batting
Former England captains Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan lauded England’s “sensible, not stupid” batting during their chase on Day 4 of the third Ashes Test at Headingley.
“No Bazball, no stupid shots. Sensible stroke play,” Boycott told The Telegraph.
“They did much better.
“Bat more like this today, with brains as well as talent, and they can win again the next Test.”
Former England captain, Michael Vaughan, wrote that England looked better switched on, while Australians were rattled the pace of Mark Wood and feels England have a good chance to win at the Old Trafford.
“Bazball is sometimes too risky and can bring the opposition into the game. But Australia in their second innings showed the dangers of playing it far too safe,” Vaughan wrote in The Telegraph.
“Then when Australia tried to be more attacking they almost seemed confused, and Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith both got out to soft dismissals.”
“England have a good chance to build on this win and deliver again at Old Trafford. If we can get to the Oval at 2-2, with one to play it will be the greatest Test series in my lifetime,” he added.
Former England spinner Phil Tufnell said that Australia is still the “frontrunner” to win the series.
“They are the hunted and this England side like being the hunters,” he told BBC Test Match Special.
“They want to run them down and chase them down. It’s the way they like to perform.
“There will be a few wobbles for Australia.”
“If England go up to Old Trafford and strike that first blow – a few early wickets if they bowl or a partnership if they bat – it could unravel for the Australians. It’s beautifully teed up.”
England has chased down four bigger totals in the “Bazball” era, including 296 at the same ground last year, but in keeping their hopes of reclaiming the urn afloat this is likely its most satisfying pursuit yet. After squandering promising positions at Edgbaston and Lord’s, England are finally on the board and will take renewed belief into the remaining clashes at Old Trafford and the Oval.
