‘Boland inke bazball ki aisi taisi kardega’ – Fans react as Ben Stokes confirms England won’t tone down ‘Bazball’ approach for Ashes 2023

With just two days to go until the iconic Ashes series begins, England skipper Ben Stokes has confirmed that they will not discard their ‘baseball’ style against Australia in the much-awaited red-ball series. Stokes acknowledged the challenge posed by the Australian bowling attack, but said England had found success in the new approach and would continue in the 2023 Ashes, which starts on June 16.

As both teams set to play their first series in the World Test Championship’s 2023-25 cycle, Australia will be full of confidence, having just been declared champions of the longer format after defeating India by 209 runs in the WTC 2023 final at England’s Oval. Meanwhile, England are coming off the back of a commanding win over Ireland in a one-off Test at home.

“We know the threat that Australia poses, no matter who they are playing against, they are a very good team but we’ve found something that works and has been successful. That doesn’t change with the opposition,” the all-rounder told BBC Test Match Special.

“Nothing is going to change because we’ve had unbelievable success with it. If we were to change anything from the last 12 months because we find ourselves in an Ashes series, then anything from the last 12 months will have been completely pointless,” he added.

Stokes and England head coach Brendon McCullum formed a formidable partnership that changed England’s approach to Test cricket. Both have been able to find great success with the much talked about ‘bazball’ style of playing. England won 11 of the last 13 Tests played.

Glenn McGrath backs Australia to sweep series, Michael Vaughan says England will surprise Aussies

With the attention of cricket fans turn to the much-awaited Test series, former cricketers and experts have come out with their predictions and analysis on the series. Former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath said he is a fan of England’s ‘baseball’ approach backed his country to defeat England 5-0.

“I’ve been really impressed with the way England have been playing, but this Australian team is different with a great bowling attack and quality batters. It’s going to be an incredible contest. The first Test is massively important. I can see every Test going down to the wire, with Australia just winning… every game. I’m sure people want me to say 5-0, so I will not disappoint them.”

On the other hand, former England captain Michael Vaughan feels that Ben Stokes and co will lift the cup as Australia have not won in England since 2001.

“History says Australia haven’t won in the UK since 2001. The last time they were here in 2019, it was a very similar team to what they have now, and they only managed a 2-2 draw against an England team that wasn’t very good. England are miles better now, and they will surprise the Australians,” Vaughan said.

Here’s how fans reacted to Ben Stokes’ statement: 

Boland inke baz ball ki aisi taisi kardega

— Bateman 🙁 (@baldaati) June 13, 2023

so it's aussies bowling vs england's bazball

— Manjunath G Vastrad (@Manju101120) June 13, 2023

https://twitter.com/Yogesh7_37/status/1668595499056902145

That's good. We need entertainment

— Yash Wardhan (@wardhantweets) June 13, 2023

https://twitter.com/VamosBangalore/status/1668568436983885824

It might come off once every 3 or 4 innings, but you have to bat through 10 in an Ashes Series… you can't win a series like that. Time will tell…

— Anthony Spiteri (@anthonyspiteri) June 13, 2023

I feel like this would be the greatest series till date… Gut feeling to be precise.

— Manish Choudhary (@ManishC43358373) June 13, 2023

https://twitter.com/AllesterPinto/status/1668561650939752451