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[Saba Sports News] Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon, nearing a milestone of 500 Test wickets, has openly criticized “Bazball,” the aggressive cricket style adopted by the England Test team. Speaking on Channel 7’s Front Bar program, Lyon dismissed the notion that ‘Bazball’—named after England Test coach Brendon “Baz” McCullum—has revolutionized cricket, humorously calling it “a load of s***.”
Lyon expressed skepticism about the impact of ‘Bazball,’ particularly in the two Ashes matches he played last year before an injury. He pointed out that the Australian team has always embraced an attacking style of play, citing David Warner’s aggressive batting as an example. Lyon argues that the ability to adapt and shift gears during a Test match is more critical than a singular focus on aggression.
This isn’t the first time Lyon has voiced his doubts about ‘Bazball.’ He believes the concept involves a lot of “smoke and mirrors” and emphasizes the importance of understanding game moments over a blanket aggressive approach. The Ashes series last year, which ended in a 2-2 draw with Australia retaining the urn, did not showcase ‘Bazball’ in Lyon’s perspective.