Former India spinner R Ashwin has made a scathing attack on Brendon McCullum’s coaching style and explains why the New Zealand brand of cricket on England pitches won’t work for Ben Stokes and co., and why they are getting exposed every now and then.“England ka koi ego vego nahi hai. Unka problem hai Bazball (England don’t have any ego, their main problem is Bazball),” Ashwin said on his Hindi YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat.“What is Bazball? It is Brendon McCullum’s infusion of New Zealand’s style of cricket and pitches into England.“In New Zealand, Test matches will have moisture on the first morning. If you want to take wickets, then you have to take them in the first session; after that, it gets flat. In the last session of Day 5, it becomes a batter’s paradise.“They bowl a bouncer strategy with Neil Wagner. Trent Boult will swing the ball, and Tim Southee will give you control. Wagner will continue the bouncer barrage from one end. He was a fighter for New Zealand cricket,” he explained.
“But the difference between New Zealand cricket and England cricket is massive. In England, seam and swing play an important role, and that’s why they have dominated at home for so long. Yes, they have not won all the Tests, but with James Anderson and Stuart Broad…“Now McCullum has come and has asked them to play freely. He asked for flat pitches. It will work in New Zealand, who play two-match series, but England play five Tests in a series,” said Ashwin.
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What do you think is England’s biggest issue in Test matches?
“England’s bowling attack is in an absolute shambolic state. With Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson coming into the attack, it will give them a bit of tooth. But they have been all over the place. One ball on the pad, next on the helmet. Who are you bowling bouncers to? Shubman Gill. What is the plan behind bowling bouncers? You use it to soften up the tailenders.“They have created a narrative and they want to stick to it.”The third Test between India and England will start on Thursday at Lord’s. The series is evenly poised at 1-1.
