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The highly-anticipated Ashes 2023 between England and Australia ended with a thrilling fifth Test victory for the hosts, resulting in a tied five-match series 2-2. England’s ‘BazBall’ strategy came to the fore, particularly in their remarkable comeback after losing the first two matches.
While ‘BazBall’ showcased its prowess during the Ashes series, uncertainties still surround its applicability in cricketing conditions across the globe. As England gears up to face India for their next big project in the ongoing edition of the World Test Championship (WTC), questions arise about the effectiveness of ‘BazBall’ against the Asian giants.
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Ben Stokes reflects on past success and doubts
Regarding whether the ‘BazBall’ will work in India, England skipper Ben Stokes recalled the team’s triumphant 3-0 victory against New Zealand and the doubts and criticisms from skeptics about replicating such success against other strong cricket teams. Stokes reflected on the challenges posed by teams like South Africa, Pakistan, and Australia after their victory against New Zealand.
Stokes indicated that there might be similar doubts about England’s prospects against India, and reckoned that the outcome of a potential series against the Rohit Sharma-led India can only be determined with time and actual performances on the field.
“I remember when we beat New Zealand 3-0, (the chatter) was we couldn’t do it against South Africa, (we) couldn’t do it against Pakistan, (we) couldn’t do it against Australia. So who knows if we can do it against India, only time will tell,” Stokes said after England’s victory in The Oval Test.
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Stokes also observed that the final scoreline of Ashes (2-2) is a fair reflection of the contest between two highly competitive and skilled cricket teams. He acknowledged that both England and Australia showcased exceptional cricketing abilities throughout the series.
“I think 2-2 generally is a fair reflection of two very, very good teams going at it over a five-match series. Obviously, Australia being world Test champions leading into this series, the cricket that I think has been on show has been of the highest quality,” added Stokes.
