Ashes 2023: As the Ashes continue, former Australian spinner Xavier Doherty offered a biting critique of England’s new brand of cricket, known as Bazball. Doherty expressed disappointment and frustration with the reckless approach taken by the English side. During an interview on SEN Tassie, he voiced his criticisms with a clear tone of disapproval.
“I entered this Ashes series with a sense of anticipation for Bazball,” he began. However, Doherty quickly expressed his disillusionment, labelling England’s new brand of cricket as a ‘flop.’ The cricketing veteran felt that Bazball seemed to offer the English team a free pass to engage in reckless behavior without any sense of responsibility.
Doherty pointed out the inconsistencies in England’s performance. “At times, England displayed commendable skills, but then something ridiculously foolish would happen,” he explained. Doherty added that such blunders were dismissed as part of the process, further revealing his disdain for Bazball’s apparent lack of accountability.
The former Australian spinner singled out England’s skipper, Ben Stokes, as an exception within a generally reckless team. Despite England’s reasonable standing in the current Test, Doherty believed their approach had allowed Australia to regain the advantage. He cited the example of Moeen Ali’s dismissal as evidence of England’s irresponsibility.
“Moeen Ali’s dismissal was unbelievable,” Doherty remarked. According to him, Ali and Stokes were attempting to regain momentum when Pat Cummins bowled Ali a bouncer. Ali top-edged it, the ball fell short of a fielder, and the Australians adjusted their fielding accordingly. However, Ali repeated his mistake and was caught, an act Doherty described as reflective of Bazball’s reckless nature.
Xavier Doherty slams England Cricket Team in Ashes 2023
The ex-spinner, who has played 4 Tests, 60 ODIs, and 11 T20Is, also commented on the controversy surrounding Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal. Doherty deemed the outrage as another by-product of Bazball. “It’s just another excuse for the English to call Australia cheats,” he said. He likened the situation to a ‘mob mentality,’ criticizing the transformation of cricket crowds into football-like audiences with their chants and abuse.
Furthermore, Doherty criticized the English team’s lack of accountability. He pointed out their apparent belief that the rules don’t apply to them anymore, allowing them to behave and speak as they please. Yet, they still position themselves as upholders of the spirit of cricket, telling others what they should be doing.
In conclusion, Doherty’s harsh critique of England’s Bazball reflects his belief in the importance of accountability and measured gameplay in cricket. His sentiments echo the frustration of those who have watched England’s journey in the Ashes, pointing towards a significant disconnect between the exciting promise of Bazball and its disappointing reality. With Doherty’s comments in mind, it will be interesting to see how England’s cricketing strategy evolves in the face of mounting criticism.
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