Former captain Mike Atherton says England’s entertaining model of Test cricket shall be tough to mimic as a result of different groups don’t boast of an analogous group of swashbuckling batters.
England’s 3-0 sequence sweep in Pakistan on Tuesday is additional validation of their ‘Bazball’ method beneath the dynamic coach-captain duo of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.
Under them, England have now received 9 of their 10 Tests taking part in fearless cricket, particularly with the bat.
“There is no question other teams have taken note, the more interesting question is whether other teams will get sucked into trying to copy England,” Atherton informed Sky Sports.
“My own view is as a captain, you try to work out what your resources are and the best way to win a game.
“Other groups could not have the type of gung-ho batsmen England have and will not be capable to replicate that type of method.”
Stokes has said England are just not interested in draws and would not mind an occasional defeat in their single-minded pursuit for victory.
“Whether different groups will get sucked in stays to be seen, however definitely the times of England and others taking part in actually attritional, lifeless cricket are gone – and other people will in all probability say thank goodness for that,” Atherton added.
While many believe England are about to revolutionise how teams play Test cricket, former captain Nasser Hussain was not so certain.
“I’m unsure what bearing England’s model can have on how different groups play,” Hussain informed the Daily Mail.
“It’s exhausting sufficient altering the tradition of 1 aspect, not to mention everybody else.”
Hussain was particularly pleased with England’s display in Pakistan but said ‘Bazball’ would face bigger tests in the home Ashes series next year and away in India in 2024.
“Well, it is labored in Pakistan, and other people weren’t certain it could! India shall be a distinct problem as a result of their pitches flip.
“But for me … the biggest test will be against Australia’s four seamers and Nathan Lyon.”
