I hope Australia take something from England’s Bazball for fifth Test: Glenn McGrath

After three close games in the ongoing Ashes 2023, the fourth Test in Manchester finally saw a more or less one-sided contest when England outplayed Australia with the bat. The visiting team was under tremendous pressure in the second innings as their batters looked pretty ordinary. Marnus Labuschagne stood tall and produced a much-needed century but soon after his dismissal, England were once again all over the Pat Cummins-led side. The home team were eventually the favourites to win the game but unfortunately, rain played a spoilsport on Day 4 and 5, which helped Australia retain the Ashes after the Test resulted in a draw. 

Meanwhile, England’s batting was heavily praised for being fearless in the fourth Test. Opener Zak Crawley hit 189 runs, while Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes hit a half-century each. Later, Jonny Bairstow completely changed the complexion of the game by hitting 99* runs off just 81 deliveries. Seeing that, former Australia international Glenn McGrath stated that Australia too should play such a brand of cricket to win the fifth Test and added that the match will be a true test of Pat Cummins’ captaincy.

“Cummins will now know all about it. The true test of his captaincy will come at The Oval. He had Sunday with his feet up and the pressure should be alleviated now Australia have retained the urn. I hope Australia take something from the best of England's style when they turn up in south London and analyse what happened this week,” McGrath wrote in his column for BBC.

Ben Stokes' decision not to declare earlier on day three cost them victory: McGrath

McGrath also believes that despite having a healthy lead, England’s decision to continue batting on Day 3 eventually cost them the match. The ball was swinging later in the day and the Three Lions took advantage of that but an additional ten overs could have proved to be deadly as per McGrath.

“I have to be honest, England dominated this match. It was their 'Bazball' style in its finest form but Ben Stokes' decision not to declare earlier on day three cost them victory. England were 506-8, leading by 189, but Stokes decided to bat long into the afternoon session.

Jonny Bairstow's 99 not out may have been brilliant for team morale but had Stokes pulled out England would have had another 10 overs when the ball was reverse swinging late on the third day. England can say they were unlucky but it rained as much as was forecast,” McGrath mentioned.