'Saw glimpses of Plan B in the first Test' - Jason Gillespie decodes England's Bazball shortcomings

Prior to the first Test at Edgbaston, a lot of hype was around how England's 'Bazball' ploy would cope against the lethal Australian bowling attack. Ben Stokes and Co. went on with the aggressive brand of cricket that has paid dividends for them over the last 12 months. However, Australia managed to eke out a nerve-wracking two-wicket victory.

The Bazball approach came under fire from certain sectors of the cricket world for being a bit reckless. After Australia posted 416 in the first innings of the second Test at Lord's, England batters played well on Day 2 and finished at 278/4 in just 61 overs. However, things went downhill in the morning session on Day 3 as the hosts lost their last six wickets for just 47 runs, handing Australia a handy 91-run lead. Most of the batters threw their wickets away and this has only harshened the criticisms being directed at Bazball.

Former Aussie pacer, Jason Gillespie, noted that England may not change their modus operandi, but he saw Ben Stokes resorting to Plan 'B' during the second innings of the first Test, where the England captain was more careful than normal, especially against Nathan Lyon.

"I don't think they are going to change their philosophy. I actually saw glimpses of Plan B in the first Test. Just have a look at Ben Stokes' innings in the second innings. He got 30 odd runs (43 runs actually) but he was pensive for a while, particularly against Nathan Lyon," Jason Gillespie said during a media interaction organized by Sony Sports.

"I would argue there was a Plan B there, he didn't just come out and try and hit sixes off every ball. He defended well but rotated the strike too. That's where the evolution of Bazball could come in. If a bowler is coming in and bowling a really good spell, you just can't keep throwing your bat at it and try finding fours and sixes off every ball. If you do it, you will get out."

Australia in a position of command at Lunch on Day 3 in Second Test

Australia managed to dismiss the English batters for 325 in the first innings in the morning session on Day 3 of the second Test at Lord's. Mitchell Starc was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up three wickets. Australia's premier spinner, Nathan Lyon, has been ruled out of the ongoing Test, and most likely, the remainder of the Ashes, after suffering a calf injury on Day 2. In his absence, Australia would be mighty pleased with their bowling effort on Day 3.

After rolling over England, the Aussie openers had to negotiate six overs before the Lunch break. David Warner and Usman Khawaja did their job as Australia were 12/0 at Lunch, with an overall lead of 103 runs.