Australia's spin legend Brad Hogg brutally mocked England's 'Bazball' while slamming Ben Duckett's dismissal in the ongoing third Test against New Zealand and labelled it as 'laughable'. England found themselves in a precarious position in the ongoing third Test against New Zealand at Seddon Park.
New Zealand, having set a daunting target of over 650 runs, took an early advantage by dismissing three quick wickets, mounting pressure on England in a crucial match.
Ben Duckett's dismissal draws Brad Hogg's criticism
But what caught everyone's eyes was the way Ben Duckett got dismissed, who threw away his wicket with an ill-timed aggressive shot. Duckett's wicket only mounted pressure on England at 18/2, especially while chasing a challenging target.
'Bazball' or 'Laughaball'?
Tim Southee bowled a length delivery angling into the off-stump, prompting Ben Duckett to advance down the pitch. Duckett attempted a forceful drive through the line, but his timing was off, resulting in a thick edge back onto the stumps. This reckless shot, reminiscent of a T20 approach, cost Duckett his wicket for a meager four runs off four balls. England's top order faltered early, with Zak Crawley also falling victim to New Zealand's bowling attack. The loss of both openers within a short span put England under immense pressure in their pursuit of a challenging target.
Brad Hogg took the opportunity to criticize England's approach, referring to Duckett's dismissal as laughaball" rather than "Bazball." In a tweet, he elaborated on his point, underscoring Duckett's reckless shot.
"Chasing 650 with 2 & bit days left in the test & your opener is charging the 10th ball of the innings your on a hiding to nothing. There is Bazzball & than there's laughaball!!!," Hogg wrote on his X.
Having already clinched the series 2-0, England have so far struggled in the ongoing third Test against New Zealand. They bowled out for a lowly 143 runs in the first innings in reply to New Zealand's 347. New Zealand went on to post colossal total of 453 handing England a big target to chase. England then found themselves teetering at 18/2 at the Day 3 stumps.