David Boon said that Bazball has brought about an amazing evolution in the game. He applauded Brendon McCullum for giving the freedom to the England batters to follow that approach as well. However, England declared their first innings at 393/8, scored at a run rate of 5.03, on Day 1 of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham as well. They posted a 273-run total at 4.11 runs per over in their second innings but eventually lost the match to arch-rivals Australia by two wickets as well.
During an interaction on the podcast ‘SEN Tassie’, Boon said: “It’s a vastly different game but I think it’s very exciting to watch. It’s different, it’s Brendon McCullum to the T. A few years back when Brendon was playing, he decided that being accountable but going out there and playing really positive cricket is the way to go in our game. He has given the courage and the faith in the English batters to go and play that way. For a side to declare at nearly 400 on the first day of an Ashes Test to have a bowl at the opposition that night is an amazing evolution of the game.”
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While talking about England’s defeat in the first Test, Boon stated that ‘Bazball’ won’t be successful every time. He further added that this revolves around having good and slightly slow pitches as well. David Boon also opined on whether England will continue with their aggressive approach in the second Test at Lord’s.
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“If the ball does a bit, they might have to change their game plan just a little bit but I don’t think the aggressive part of it is going to leave. Back in my day, you would have probably batted for a little longer, especially maybe in the second innings, that let’s bat the side out of the game so that we can go harder with the ball. I think in the second Test you will see changes from both sides but the aggressive McCullum style of cricket, I don’t think will change. I have watched a lot, it’s amazing to watch and I think it’s wonderful for cricket overall,” David Boon concluded.
