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The Ashes 2023 series witnessed thrilling encounters between Australia and England, with the final Test ending in a nail-biting contest, resulting in a 2-2 draw. Nathan Lyon, the Australian off-spinner, was an integral part of the first two Tests but had to bow out due to an injury sustained during the second match at Lord’s.
In the aftermath of the series, Lyon shared his views on England’s much-talked-about ‘Bazball’ approach, expressing his doubts about its true impact and effectiveness on the field. While speaking with SEN Cricket, Lyon questioned the prominence of ‘Bazball’ in the series, despite all the hype surrounding it. He mentioned that during his two Tests against England, he did not witness the full force of the so-called Bazball approach. Lyon’s team emerged victorious in both games he played, indicating that the strategy might not have been as effective as touted.
“I know everyone keeps talking about BazBall, to be honest, I didn’t really see BazBall throughout my two Tests again them. I’m 2-0 in my Tests against BazBall I look at the Australian cricket team and the batters we’ve had, David Warner for example, I’ve seen him score hundreds in a session and that’s off playing an attacking brand of cricket,” Lyon said.
The Smoke and Mirrors: Lyon on Bazball
Lyon’s skepticism about ‘Bazball’ revolves around what he perceives as “smoke and mirrors” within England’s aggressive style of play. He asserted that merely adopting an attacking brand of cricket does not guarantee success. Instead, Lyon believes that understanding the nuances of the game and recognizing crucial moments to switch gears is paramount to achieving consistent results.
Drawing comparisons with the Australian cricket team, Lyon pointed out the success of their batters, exemplified by David Warner‘s ability to score centuries in a single session. He emphasized the importance of adaptability, suggesting that a successful aggressive cricket approach requires being able to shift gears as the situation demands, rather than following a rigid, one-dimensional strategy.
“I think there’s a lot of smoke and mirrors with BazBall, if I’m being honest with you, and I feel like if you’re going to play an aggressive brand of cricket anyway, it’s about being able to go up and down in gears and understanding the moments in the game,” added Lyon.
Interestingly, Australia secured victories in both Tests that Lyon featured in, showcasing the team’s ability to adapt and capitalize on the given opportunities. However, the results took a turn in the last three matches, where Australia faced two defeats and the series ended in a draw.
