Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes the upcoming Ashes will be a decisive moment for the team’s aggressively modern approach, popularly known as Bazball. He noted that despite England insisting otherwise, “England says it won’t, but it will. This series usually defines England captains and coaches, and this one will.” According to Hussain, the Ashes have traditionally shaped careers and strategies, and this time will be no different. With Australia seen as superior at home, he emphasised the significance of the challenge awaiting England.
Harsh Realities And High Stakes In Australia
Hussain highlighted the stark reality of England’s poor record Down Under, underlining just how difficult it is to win in Australia. He pointed out, “You’ve got to add context. Australia is a firm favourite. England have not won a single one of their last 15 Tests in Australia. That’s hard, cold facts. Fifteen Tests, drawn two, lost 13. It shows how hard it is to go to Australia and win.”
He further explained that England’s last away Ashes win dates back to 2010–11, and before that, to the 1986–87 series under Mike Gatting. This makes any potential triumph monumental. Hussain added that a victory would validate the philosophy of Rob Key, Ben Stokes, and Brendon McCullum, stating, “If England win the Ashes, (managing director) Rob Key, Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum will say, ‘There you are, we told you so’. But if they lose it, it will be others saying, ‘Same old story.”
Nasser Hussain, who himself helped reshape English cricket during his leadership era, noted that the current regime has spent years preparing specifically for this moment. Reflecting this, he said, “This is going to be a special series because it does feel like the culmination for this regime. Not the end, but this is what they’ve built up to. They came in not long after an Ashes drubbing, and the whole game plan for the last three and a half years has been about how to win in Australia. Rightly or wrongly.”
Respect For Stokes-McCullum Philosophy
While Hussain’s own leadership style differed, he expressed strong admiration for how Stokes, McCullum, and Key have shaped the current England setup. He praised their confidence and refusal to be influenced by criticism, saying, “The thing I really like about it is that they are not overly concerned about what other people think. They don’t worry about the reaction. I like that. I like the attitude of, ‘This is how we’re doing it, and we’ll live or die by it.’” Hussain acknowledged that although outsiders label it Bazball, “I can see why they hate it being called Bazball because that makes it sound like it’s the only way they play. It has been refined over time.”
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
