Australia's impressive bowling performance on the second day of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against India has sparked discussions about the effectiveness of England's Bazball tactics in the upcoming Ashes series. The formidable Australian bowling unit, consisting of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, Cameron Green, and spinner Nathan Lyon, claimed crucial wickets as they restricted India to 151/7 in 38 overs, following Australia's first-innings total of 469.
The Australian pacers showcased their skills by delivering incisive spells, consistently attacking the top of the off-stump and exploiting the uneven bounce and seam movement. Key Indian batters, including Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli, fell cheaply due to the relentless pressure applied by the Australian attack.
Former Australia captain Steve Smith expressed his doubts about England's ability to adopt the Bazball approach against such a strong Australian bowling unit on a similar pitch, particularly at The Oval, where the fifth Test of the Ashes is scheduled to take place.
Smith acknowledged the success of the high-tempo aggressive style introduced by Brendon McCullum but emphasized the challenges England might face against the Australian bowlers. He eagerly anticipates witnessing how the Bazball tactics fare against their formidable attack, as England has not encountered them yet.
While praising the Australian bowlers for their disciplined bowling and accurate line and length, Smith highlighted the difficulty for batters to defend on pitches like the one at The Oval. He recognized the natural variation and the challenge of facing consistent deliveries targeting the top of the stumps.
Starting the summer with a magnificent century, Smith gained confidence and is set to play a crucial role as Australia aims to secure their first Ashes victory in England in a long time. He expressed hope that his solid start will lay the foundation for a successful summer ahead.
The highly-anticipated Ashes series will commence with the first Test in Birmingham on June 16, followed by matches at Lord's, Leeds, Old Trafford, and The Oval. As England prepares to face the dominant Australian bowling attack, questions loom over the effectiveness of their Bazball tactics in the challenging Test series.