England had a brilliant four days of play during the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford in Manchester until the rain came into effect and resulted in the match getting called off. The English team ultimately had to settle in for a draw after the washout of the final day, ending their hopes to clinch the Ashes series. On the other hand, the Australia benefitted from the rain gods and successfully retained the Ashes.
The Manchester Test witnessed a brilliant and clinical performance from the England players. It saw the host batter display a rare sight of power hitting in the longest format, taking away the world by storm with their Bazball approach. The aggressive batting style of the Ben Stokes-led side almost took away the game from the Aussies and was subject to huge praise from many veteran cricketers. Many even took a dig at the Australian team over becoming the victim of the England’s brutal hitting.
Legendary Australian seamer Glenn McGrath has now urged Pat Cummins’ Australia to opt for the same Bazball approach and defeat the arch-rival England in their style. McGrath reckoned that it would be a great feeling to register a series-clinching victory over the hosts in the fifth Test and beat the energised England team under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. He even suggested that a bit of early declaration from England at Old Trafford might have resulted in their win.
“I would rather see Australia lose the last Test by backing themselves, really taking it to England, rather than going down with a whimper. Winning in England for the first time since 2001, beating this energised England team under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, should be massive motivation. To return to Australia with a 3-1 victory would be huge response to Bazball – an incredible achievement,” said McGrath.
“I have to be honest, England dominated this match. It was their ‘Bazball’ style in its finest form but Ben Stokes’ decision not to declare earlier on day three cost them victory. England were 506-8, leading by 189, but Stokes decided to bat long into the afternoon session,” he added.
