Ashes 2025-26: David Willey backs ‘Bazball’ but urges England not to go overboard

Former England cricketer David Willey has urged England to adopt a more balanced approach while implementing ‘Bazball’. As for the ongoing five-match series against Australia, England have lost both the Tests by eight wickets each.

While Willey had no problem with the methodology, he advised the Three Lions to not go overboard and adopt a more balance approach in the remainder of the series.

“I think the term ‘Bazball’ is something that’s been used more by the media than the players themselves. They’re trying to impact the game, but I have my reservations about maybe going too far that way and not taking accountability for when the game dictates something else. The way Stokes talked about it, he’s really highlighted that. I’ve no doubt they’ll be trying to refine that and put that right for the remainder of the series,” stated Willey, as quoted by India Today.

The erstwhile left-arm seamer commented on how things could have been a lot different had England not lost wickets in a cluster in the first two matches. He mentioned that they should try absorbing pressure more during such situations.

“If you look back to Perth, if they’d have batted better in that third innings, there’s every chance they could have won that Test match and everyone would be sat having different conversations now. And the same again in the second Test, there are just key moments where England let them slip and that’s ultimately cost them. I think they’ll be really trying to identify those moments and know when to potentially absorb a little pressure and just dig in a little bit rather than play the expansive style of cricket they want,” he added.

England, whose batting has faltered during crucial moments in Perth and Brisbane, will be keen to rectify the issue in the third Test, which is scheduled in Adelaide from December 17. They will aim to strike a better balance between being aggressive and handling situations accordingly in the contests to follow.