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"Flukers": Whateley slams "brazen" Bazball tactics
Sam Kosack • November 24th, 2025 9:35 pm
SEN’s Gerard Whateley has slammed England’s ‘Bazball’ batting approach, labelling the visiting side “flukers” as the first Ashes Test finished in a historic two days.
Perth’s series opener was the first time an Ashes Test has finished in two days since Nottingham in 1921, 104 years ago.
The English batsmen were in the box seat heading into the second innings with Australia having been bowled out for 132.
Sitting at 1/65, England suffered a catastrophic collapse, losing 9/99, in classic Bazball manner which prioritises aggressive gameplay.
Questions have been raised about a lack of patience from the English batsmen, but Whateley doesn’t expect a change in temperament throughout the next four Tests.
“Whether we think they should or they shouldn't (change their batting style), they won't,” he told SEN 1170 Drive.
“They're devoted to this dogma like the strongest of a religious cult, and it's folly and it's madness at times.
“To talk to Stuart Broad and we posed the question, what would you do now, and he said they'll double down and go harder. How could they possibly go harder?
“I just think they're trying to defy too much.
“It's one thing to come with an aggressive mantra, but at all costs and not reading the circumstances of the game, not introducing any strategic nuance.
“Essentially, Australia came out after lunch, Starc was their only bowler who was a threat. Boland they had pinned down, Green’s on limited overs, Doggett’s on debut, and Lyon was off the field.
"How did they not realise that if they just batted for one more hour, they could've made any number once the Australians tired and the ball softened?
“It's just too brazen and it's recklessness to the point of absurdity but that's what they want to do.
“They threw the test match away at the climax of the series against India where they should have won that series 3-1, and they drew it 2-2… they clearly didn't learn, or just ignored the, the natural lessons out of that and they sort of committed the same crimes again.
“I just think there are chances, they're flukers, they're a puncher's chance in a game, and you can't be a great team in professional sport with that sort of approach.”
