England coach sticks with ‘Bazball’ approach for Ashes

Bengaluru — England head coach Brendon McCullum said the team will head into the Ashes series against Australia without fear of defeat and he sees no reason to rein in their high-risk, high-reward “Bazball” approach that proved so successful over the past year.

England were thrashed 4-0 in Australia in the previous edition of the Ashes but have won 10 of their past 12 Tests since McCullum took charge and Ben Stokes was appointed captain.

“Who knows if we are going to win this summer but we’re going to go into it with the right attitude, the right environment, and the right team which believes it’s got a chance,” McCullum told British media on Monday.

“We’re a team that knows how we want to play now, and we’re not afraid to lose, which is quite a remarkable trait, and that’s led by the skipper and some of the senior players as well.

“If we do play how we want to play, we give ourselves the best opportunity and we’ve got the talent to put world-class teams under pressure.”

England are due to play Ireland in a one-off match beginning on Thursday before the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston on June 16.

McCullum said fast bowlers James Anderson (groin) and Ollie Robinson (ankle) would miss the Ireland Test due to injury, but will be fit for the Ashes opener.

All-rounder Stokes, who had an injury-hit stint with Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, could play a role with the ball during the Ashes, he said.

“Stokesy is progressing well too. He looks really fit as well, looks in great order ... I think he’ll bowl at some stage throughout the summer, no doubt.

“He is a world-class all-rounder. If he is able to bowl, fantastic. If not, we’ll find a way.”

Reuters