Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has urged England to stick by their Bazball mantra if they feel that is their best chance to beat India and win the ongoing Test series.
England were given a rude awakening in Rajkot as they were hammered by the hosts and handed them 434-run loss, thanks to some brilliant performances from the Indian team. There has been criticism levelled at England after their worst loss under the Bazball regime, but Clarke feels Ben Stokes and Co should shut out the noise.
Speaking to ESPN, Clarke suggested that the Bazball is one of those things similar to the old saying ‘live by the sword and die by it.’ However, the former Australian skipper said that the whole squad now needs to come together and back themselves if they feel Bazball is their best chance of beating India.
“I think it’s one of those things where you live by the sword and you die by it. This is the time for England to come together and Bazball or whatever you call it, if this is how you want to play then you have to back yourselves and not care what other people think. If you think that’s the best chance of beating India then back yourselves,” said Clarke.
Clarke on Root’s poor run with Bazball: It’s a team sport, everyone has to buy in
One of the biggest talking points from Rajkot was Joe Root’s dismissal. The England star attempted a reverse scoop off Jasprit Bumrah, but it failed and he was thrashed by the English media for it. RP Singh had slammed the England batter for his shot selection.
However, Clarke feels Root is just trying to buy in to the mantra of Bazball as the whole squad has committed themselves to the mantra.
“For someone like Joe Root, that’s why it’s a big talking point because people feel does Joe really need to play such shots and can’t help continue playing the same way. But it’s a team sport. If one is in then I think Ben Stokes would want everyone to be in.”
