Former Australian cricketer Kerry O'Keeffe believes that England's aggressive approach, also known as 'Bazball', in Test cricket brought in by coach Brendon McCullum was inspired by the tragic death of former Aussie batter Phillip Hughes. On November 27, 2014, Hughes fell to the ground after being hit by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield game and lost his life in an incident that saddened the cricket community around the world.
O'Keeffe reckons that it was that very moment that changed McCullum's outlook towards cricket and he donned a more carefree approach, first as a New Zealand captain and batter and later as England's Test team's coach.
"Look, I lay it (Bazball) at the feet of Brendon McCullum," O’Keeffe said on The Back Page on Fox Sports.
"And I lay it also, and may he rest in peace, Phillip Hughes. Because that was a defining moment in Brendon McCullum’s career.
"When Phillip Hughes died on the pitch, it was 2014, Brendon McCullum was captaining New Zealand.
“He said we are going to play without care, without consequence, because we are going to play every day as if it’s our last and to hell with judgment.
“Two years later, he scored the fastest Test century in the history of the game, 54 balls against Australia. Bazball is a consequence of Phillip Hughes’ passing.
"If you detach from consequence and you don’t feel judged, you play freely. That’s what this England side is doing at the moment and they’re doing it so well.
"The seed was germinated through the passing of Phillip Hughes," he added.
Since the time McCullum was appointed the coach of the England Test side, the Three Lions have played an unconventional brand of cricket in the red-ball format. The English batters have looked to impose their will on opposition batters and scored runs at a frantic pace, unlike any team of the past.
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