'It only takes a nick or a couple of LBWs, and I think some of those guys might start doubting themselves' - Tim Paine opens up on England's 'Bazball' approach

England have outplayed the likes of South Africa, New Zealand, India, and Pakistan by implementing the entertaining Bazball method. They will hope to add arch-rivals Australia to the list as they aim to regain the Ashes on their home soil. Edgbaston will host the first Test between the two teams.

Prior to the first match of the highly-anticipated series, Tim Paine, who was the captain when Australia toured England the last time in 2019 for the Ashes, dissected the Bazball strategy during an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald. The former wicketkeeper-batter gave Australia the edge and also stated that the 'Bazball' strategy could go wrong pretty quickly for England if the Pat Cummins-led side plays its best cricket.

“I still think if the Aussies get it right and play their best cricket, I think it (Bazball) can come unstuck pretty quickly for England. I do think Australia have got the edge. I think whilst England are playing a different brand of cricket, and they’re confident about it, to me the team looks pretty similar to what we saw in Australia last year.

“It will be fascinating to see how the Aussies go about it. Do you set really defensive fields because they’ve shown that they’ll come out to score really quickly? Keep your catchers up and drops some blokes out on the fence and see if England want to park their ego, or they’re going to keep trying to go hard?”

While Paine acknowledged that some English players have had a fine last 12 months, he mentioned that a few nicks or lbws can start planting doubts in their minds.

“So there’s some guys there that yeah, they’ve had a good 12 months, but the Ashes intensity and the scrutiny goes up one hundred per cent. It only takes a nick or a couple of LBWs and I think some of those guys might start doubting themselves again,” Paine stated.

If the ball is not moving, the pitches aren’t offering them assistance, I think the Aussie batters can dominate: Tim Paine

According to various reports that have emerged prior to the impending first Test, England have demanded for fast and flat pitches with short boundaries to suit their aggressive style. This, however, according to Paine, could backfire for England as he feels that it will resemble Australian conditions and suit the newly-crowned World Test Champions more.

“That’s not what I’d be doing. I think that sounds too much like Australian conditions for me, and that has not worked for them. I think that favours Australia.

“If the ball is not moving, the pitches aren’t offering them assistance, I think the Aussie batters can dominate. Having said that, I’m fascinated to see what will happen if their batters do come off because our bowlers have never been put under that kind of pressure.”