Mitchell Johnson calls ‘bull**** on Bazball’ and claims English style will backfire in The Ashes

Former Aussie Test cricket firebrand Mitchell Johnson has fired a new rocket at England ahead of The Ashes, labelling Bazball as ‘bull****’ and claiming it will backfire spectacularly against Pat Cummins’ men. 

Throughout his career, Johnson terrorised English batsmen with his lethal pace and left-arm swing, becoming a key player for Australia. 

In the 2013-14 Ashes series, he took 37 wickets at an average of 13.97, making it one of the most dominant displays by a fast bowler in the history of the tournament. 

Johnson retired from international cricket in 2015, leaving a lasting legacy as one of Australia’s greatest Ashes heroes. 

Bazball, a term originating in the 2022 English cricket season, describes the England national cricket team’s playing style under the leadership of head coach Brendon McCullum [‘Baz’] and captain Ben Stokes. 

New England skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum are certain to roll out Bazball against the Aussies in The Ashes

Aussie skipper Pat Cummins faces the tough challenge of leading the Test side into the World Test Championship final against India before The Ashes against England

Introduced by managing director Rob Key, this approach emphasizes positivity in both attack and defense, covering all aspects of the game. 

The Bazball mindset encourages players to make bold decisions while batting or fielding, fostering an assertive and dynamic team performance.

By embracing the innovative elements of Bazball, the team aims to surprise opponents and challenge traditional cricket norms. 

But Johnson, writing for his column in The West, is not buying it.

‘It’s time to call bulls..t on Bazball,’ he wrote.

‘I’m happy to tip my hat to England for the way they’ve turned around their Test cricket over the past year under new coach Brendon McCullum, nicknamed Baz, and new captain Ben Stokes.

‘Because they were a pretty sorry sight down here in Australia when flogged 4-0 less than 18 months ago.’

Johnson believes that changing the wickets and boundaries will play right into Australia’s hands in The Ashes

Veteran bowlers Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad will be faced with leading the attack with several frontline bowlers unavailable

England’s Ben Foakes recently cashed in with a century under the Bazball style of play, but Aussie batsmen will be able to rattle up big numbers as well

Johnson mocked claims England was ‘revolutionising’ the sport and said it was just a smokescreen that Pat Cummins men would not fall for.

‘Gamesmanship and getting into opponents’ heads is definitely a key ingredient here. But all the bluff and bluster surrounding Bazball won’t intimidate Pat Cummins and his team,’ he wrote.

‘England’s new obsession with attacking at all costs could actually play right into Australia’s hands and backfire spectacularly during the Ashes.

‘Call it what you like but Bazball is nothing new. England are hardly the first team in Test cricket to use attack and aggression to try to overwhelm their rivals.’

Johnson said all the elements of Bazball had already been invented and used to great effect by the great West Indies sides of the 1980s and the dominant Australian side in the early 2000s.

He added that changing the conditions Aussies have traditionally struggled under in England would play right into their rival’s hands.

‘McCullum and Stokes are being too clever by half if they follow through on a request to their groundsmen for flat pitches and shorter boundaries to assist with their Bazball approach,’ he wrote.

‘It’s all their eggs in one basket and puts huge pressure on their batsmen to deliver.’

Australia will play India in the World Test Championship final in England beginning tonight before the first Test of The Ashes at Edgbaston commences on June 16.