Legendary pacer Glenn McGrath has slammed England for taking part in informal cricket towards Australia within the ongoing Ashes, sarcastically terming it as “CazBall” as a substitute of “Bazball”, the aggressive model of the sport related to the Brendon McCullum coached facet in current occasions.
England is down 0-2 after dropping the primary two Tests at Edgbaston and the Lord’s.
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The 53-year-old mentioned he was initially in “two minds” over the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow, which has divided the cricketing world with many, together with skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, calling it opposite to the ‘spirit of the game’.
“I want to start by saying Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal was not my favourite. I have been thinking about it a lot, reading all of the reaction, and it has had me in two minds,” McGrath wrote in a column for BBC.
“Originally, I would have liked to have seen Australia captain Pat Cummins withdraw his appeal, but the more I think about it the more I think it was the right decision from Cummins. I think it is a sign of something deeper in England’s mentality.
“Now, I am a fan of Bazball. The concept of backing yourself, playing without fear and putting pressure back on the opposition – that I agree with wholeheartedly.
“But Bairstow’s dismissal epitomises what we have seen from England in this series. It has been Casual Ball – CazBall if you will, not Bazball.”
McGrath mentioned England was “too casual” from day one of many Lord’s Test.
“After a rain delay, Australia’s batters were champing at the bit to get out there. The umpires were on the field, but despite conditions massively in their favour, half the England players, captain included, still had their feet up on the balcony.
“In the first Test, England declared on day one – again, casual.” Bairstow was dismissed on last day of play when after ducking a gradual bouncer from Cameron Green, he had instantly left his crease to have a chat with Ben Stokes within the center, believing that the ball was ‘dead’.
However, wicketkeeper Alex Carey performed throughout the guidelines and broke the stumps and third umpire Marais Erasmus gave a choice in favour of Australia.
“The Bairstow dismissal, the Yorkshireman walking out of his crease like he owned the game, was the culmination of everything we have seen from this current team,” McGrath wrote.
“I have read a lot about the ‘spirit of cricket’ this week. Well, you have to respect Test cricket with your attitude as well. You cannot just go wandering out of your crease.
“It took something like the Bairstow incident for England to realise they are in the battle – and that is disappointing,” the legendary tempo bowler mentioned.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com