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England have continued its fine form in the red-ball cricket as they pulled off a record-breaking run chase against India to win all four matches they have played this summer. The English media have labelled the menacing partnership of coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes in Tests as 'Bazball', which is a 'silly term' according to the Kiwi.
England thrashed India in the 5th rescheduled Test at Edgbaston by 7 wickets while chasing a mammoth-target of 378 runs. Three Lions have played attacking form of cricket against India, which the media termed as 'Bazball'. While talking to Adam Gilchrist on SEN WA Breakfast, England Test coach claims that he has no idea about the 'silly term'.
McCullum told Gilchrist, "No, I don't have any idea what Bazball is, having a bit of a go, but the boys have been fantastic, couldn't have asked for a better start really. I'm sure that our guys will try and still maintain a really positive approach. I think the real key is not just the crash and burn if we look at the approach of how the guys have done it."
"That's why I don't really like that silly term that people are throwing out there, because there's actually quite a bit of thought that goes into how the guys manufacture their performances and when they put pressure on bowlers and which bowlers, they put pressure on. There's also times where they've absorbed pressure beautifully as well," he added.
Earlier this week, Australian cricketer Steve Smith was asked about 'Bazball', which led him to question its sustainability and suggested even coach Andrew McDonald is done with the term. He said via the Sydney Morning Herald, "It’s been exciting, I’m just intrigued to see how long it lasts, if it’s sustainable. Guys just keep joking about it – I think ‘Ronnie’ (McDonald) has had enough of hearing about Bazball to be honest, it’s good fun to joke about."
Smith continued, "If you come on a wicket that’s got some grass on it and Josh Hazlewood, Cummins and Starc are rolling in at you, is it going to be the same? We’ll see what happens."
In response, McCullum told Gilchrist, "I saw those (comments) flick up on one of the feeds somewhere. It’s quite right, it is going to be a big challenge when we take on Australia. It’s going to challenge our method and it’s going to challenge what we’re capable of achieving and that’s pretty exciting I reckon."
The England coach further acknowledged that facing Australia would be a different challenge, he said, "Isn’t that what the game’s all about? Is to sort of reinvigorate yourself and then be confronted against the very best. I do believe that both New Zealand and India are two very, very good cricket sides as well. Australia is a different kind of challenge because of the history of the Ashes and the rivalry which exists there."
England are scheduled to play three-match Test series against South Africa in August.