Former England opener Geoffrey Boycott believes that Bazball massively failed as Ben Stokes and co. sustained a defeat in the 2nd Test against India in Vishakhapatnam. Boycott also questioned England's overly-aggressive approach and reckons they haven't learned their lessons from a similar approach despite failing in 2023 Ashes series.
Chasing a massive 399 in the 4th innings of the Test, England started well with a 50-run partnership between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. While Crawley scored a steadfast 73, he failed to receive support from the middle-order batters. England eventually were bowled out for 292 as Jasprit Bumrah claimed 9 wickets in the match.
"Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes are besotted with attack, attack, attack. It’s as if they say ‘If we can’t win, we will go down in glorious failure instead.’ But there is no glory in failure or defeat. Bazball is great entertainment when it comes off. But once you believe in an ideal over substance then you have lost the plot. Today England gave the match away. Bazball was a failure," he wrote in his column for The Telegraph.
"Why can’t our team play positively and with common sense?" - Questions Geoffrey Boycott
The 83-year-old felt at least one England batter needed to go big and be sensible in their approach against India in pursuit of 399. He added:
"The best way to achieve a total of nearly 400 is by one of the batsmen scoring a big hundred. Looking to go after good bowlers and score quickly comes with risk. But why can’t our team play positively and with common sense? Pick your moments when to attack and defend. If a particular bowler is in a good spell then just stay in and get through it."
Only once in India in Test matches has a team successfully chased a 300 plus total.
