Ashes 2023: “It’s about winning and being little bit smarter,” Vaughan's take on ‘Bazball’ after England’s loss at Edgbaston

Vaughan questioned England’s declaration after just 78 overs in the first innings.

Before the Ashes 2023 opener against Australia at Edgbaston, there were plenty of discussions about whether England would continue with their ultra-aggressive approach in the longest format, famously dubbed as the 'Bazball'.

As it turned out, the hosts batted aggressively in both innings and shocked the fans and experts by declaring their first innings at 393/8 on Day 1. After taking a tiny 7-run lead, they came out swinging in their second innings, posting 273 even without one of their batters reaching fifty.

In hindsight, it did seem that the bold declaration backfired as England lost the Birmingham Test by a narrow margin of two wickets to concede a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

After the game, former cricketer-turned-commentator Michael Vaughan questioned England’s declaration after just 78 overs in the first innings when Joe Root was batting on 118.

While Vaughan is a big fan of the 'Bazball' style, he wants the Ben Stokes-led side to be a 'little bit smarter' in the remainder of the Ashes series.

“I think both teams will change slightly at Lord’s. I think the Aussies won’t go as expansive in the first innings and spread the field. They’ll squeeze a bit more. I’ll be amazed if England don’t play just that little bit (cautiously). Bazball, I love. I love the energy and what it’s brought. It’s now about winning and being that little bit smarter. When you’ve got an Australian team on the back foot, you’ve got to drive it down and nail them down even more. England just didn’t do that," Vaughan told Cricbuzz.

Skipper Pat Cummins played a vital role in Australia’s thrilling victory, hitting an unbeaten 44 and forging an unbroken partnership of 55 runs for the ninth wicket with Nathan Lyon (16*) to take his side home in the chase of 281.

Cummins also bagged four wickets in England’s second innings and he garnered rich praise for his all-round exploits from Vaughan.

“I have seen him do it many times. His 4-fer in the second innings is what gave Australia the chance to win the Test match. (He) bowled beautifully on a placid wicket, leading from the front in the first Test match away from home in an Ashes series. To get his team over the line, that’s very special. Those two sixes from Pat Cummins - I was on the balcony, thinking they are going to go for a draw. He blocked the first two balls of Joe Root. All of a sudden, into the stands, something’s changed," he added.

The second Ashes Test is slated to get underway on June 28 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.