Australia’s Steve Smith questions the long-term sustainability of 'Bazball'
- Planet Sport writer
- 6 July 2022
Australia batter Steve Smith has cast doubts over whether England's aggressive new 'Bazball' approach to Test cricket will be in action when they come up against his nation's bowling attack.
Smith was overheard by reporters shouting 'Bazball!' after striking a powerful shot in net practice ahead of his side's Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle.
The 33-year-old has being keeping a sceptical eye on Australia's Ashes rivals, who were hammered 4-0 Down Under last winter but have won their last four games and chased down a record 378 against India this week.
Now Smith believes that England's batters might not be so destructive when faced with the challenges of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
"The guys just keep joking about it - I think Ronnie (head coach Andrew McDonald) has had enough of hearing about Bazball to be honest - it's good fun to joke about," Smith told cricket.com.au.
"It's been exciting. I'm just intrigued to see how long it lasts, if it's sustainable. If you come in on a wicket that's got some grass on it and Josh Hazlewood, (Pat) Cummins and (Mitchell) Starc are rolling in at you, is it going to be the same?
"I'm intrigued by it all. Is it going to work every time? I don't know."
'Bazball' is a phrase that has been used to describe the relentlessly positive approach England have adopted this summer under the leadership of Brendon McCullum, whose nickname is 'Baz', and Ben Stokes.
