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In the lead-up to the Ashes series scheduled for November, Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon talked about England's new aggressive 'Bazball' approach in the longest format. Lyon has apparently lauded England's 'totally changed' approach which, as per him, stresses more on winning games than just being pure entertainers. England's confidence is bolstered by a recent 2-2 draw in a five-match series against India, a performance that serves as a prelude to their highly anticipated tour of Australia.
Nathan Lyon on England's 'totally changed' approach ahead of Ashes
England will be looking to overcome a historical hurdle, as they have not won a Test match in Australia since their victorious Ashes campaign in January 2011, which they sealed 3-1. Acknowledging the strength of the current English squad, Lyon praised their potential ahead of the tour. He specifically highlighted the presence of key match-winners like Joe Root and Ben Stokes, whom he identified as players capable of single-handedly influencing the outcome of a game.
"That's the way they're playing their cricket, which is totally fine by me. It's shaping up for one hell of a summer. I think their approach has changed a little bit. They've got some stars in their cricket side who can win games of cricket off their own back. Joe Root, Ben Stokes and these guys," Lyon said as quoted from The Sydney Morning Herald.
Following England's change in approach, he noted that the team is now focused on winning matches, rather than simply entertaining with their aggressive playing style. This shift comes after a challenging period for the team in England, where they've failed to secure a single win in 15 Tests since 2013, with two ending in a draw. The team, now led by Ben Stokes, faces the monumental task of a historic home victory.
Under the leadership of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, England has had a strong run, winning 25 out of 41 matches. However, their struggles on the road continue to pose a challenge, with recent losses in India and Pakistan. This makes their upcoming tour to Australia a crucial test for Stokes and his team.
"But it looks to me like they've totally changed their approach, and they're trying to think about how to win games of cricket rather than just being pure entertainers. And they've played some decent cricket over the last little while," Lyon concluded.
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