Former England batter Ian Bell came up with an interesting analysis of the Edgbaston Test that the Three Lions ended up losing by two wickets against Australia. Despite the defeat, Bell opined that England appeared to be the more dominant team and affirmed that the Baggy Greens looked passive. The former English batter even compared the current Australian team with the 'really bad old days' of English cricket and said that the visitors looked intimidated.
"I'd go as far to say that Australia have more to work on," Bell said, as quoted by wisden.com.
"After the first two days at Edgbaston I was amazed how passive Australia were. It was like England used to play Ashes series in the really bad old days. Australia looked scared. I saw that in two examples.
"First, in the field setting for England's batters in the first innings. They had sweepers out on the off- and on-side after three overs. I'd never seen anything like it and as someone who has experienced the pressure cooker of an Ashes series - I won five out of seven - being afforded an easy option for a single as a batter like that would have been unheard of."
In a game that ebbed and flowed throughout the course of five days, Australia ended up neutralising 'Bazball' at Edgbaston. On a thrilling Day 5 that was packed with pulsating action, the Three Lions were in ascendancy to steal a close win before the Baggy Greens' skipper Pat Cummins batted out of his skin to take his team to the promised land. England captain Ben Stokes did all in his power to earn a positive result but it just wasn't to be for England.
Cummins and tailender Nathan Lyon became the immovable force of defiance at Edgbaston. The duo stitched an unbeaten 55-run alliance for the ninth wicket to roll out the Baggy Greens' road to an exhilarating victory.
In his analysis, Bell opined that Australia were rattled by England's fearless brand of cricket. According to the ex-batter, the only time the Baggy Greens played with aggression was when Cummins and Lyon decided to let lose after Alex Carey's dismissal on the final day.
"As I said, I think England's intent has unnerved Australia and the only time they showed any aggression themselves was when Alex Carey was out in that extraordinary final innings," Bell said.
"Basically, they only played in England's style when they knew they were beaten and they had nothing to lose. Psychologically, that is fascinating. Brendon McCullum will pick up on that," he added.
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