Follow UsThe Bazball approach, even after being there for the last three years, still continues to ire the traditional believers of 'block the ball, play for draw' kind of Test lovers. Because the English side lost to India and Pakistan away from home in almost humiliating fashion, the approach was all the more chastised.
But after those two Asian tours, England beat New Zealand 2-1, and they have so far had two Test wins at home this summer, beating Zimbabwe in a four-day Test and India in the first match of the five-Test series.
Thus, Bazball is back as the talk of the town and Jamie Smith, wicketkeeper-batter of the side, was more than happy to talk about the concept of the belief called Bazball.
"When you're out there batting, it is you and your partner at the other end, so it's quite individual, but to have that backing and trust that other people are doing the same thing, you don't feel you're alone when you're doing what you feel is right in that moment,” Smith was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo during a Rothesay event ahead of the second Test in Birmingham.
He gave yet another example of how he was in his 40s in the first innings of the Headingley Test and then got out just before India got the new ball. It prompted a collapse of a sort and England lost key wickets. While chasing 371, it was Smith once again at the crease with England needing 23 more runs to get at the end of the 80th over when the new ball was due.
Siraj took the new ball before Bumrah could come back and bow, which was unlikely given that England needed only 16 more to win the match after Siraj’s over. But Smith said that he decided he would take on Ravindra Jadeja and finish the game there.
He did exactly that, hitting a four and two sixes in the over. He was able to do that because of the truth that his team showed in him, even when he was caught in the first innings at a crucial juncture.
"When you are caught on the boundary trying to hit the ball for six, you feel you're not going to get a slap on the wrist. [The attitude is] 'mate, that was a good option, the wind was howling that way',” Smith said.
Talking about the approach towards the chase, the 24-year-old said, “It was simple in that you knew you had to chase the runs, and we weren't going to block out for the draw.”
"We were always going to be positive and try to get the runs. It was a rapid outfield and as good batting conditions as you could have on day five. It wasn't misbehaving too much as the Test went on, so you always felt as though you could keep it simple, you didn't have to do things too out of the box to get the runs, which is very helpful,” he added.