Tags: The Ashes 2023, Australia, Nathan Michael Lyon
Published on: Aug 04, 2023
Australian off-spinner spinner Nathan Lyon has stated that he did not see any Bazball played by England in the first two Ashes 2023 Tests, which the hosts lost. England struggled against Lyon in the first Test, losing eight wickets to the off-spinner.
England declared their first innings on Day 1 at Edgbaston at 393/8 and ended up losing the Test by two wickets. They kept going after the bowling in the second Test at Lord’s as well and this time went down by 43 runs. In the next three Tests, however, England dominated Australia’s bowling, with Lyon ruled out due a calf injury he picked up during the second Test.
Speaking to SEN Cricket, Lyon reflected on his experience of bowling to England batters in the first two Tests. Stating he did not see any signs of Bazball, that was much spoken about, he commented, “I know everyone keeps talking about BazBall, to be honest, I didn’t really see BazBall throughout my two Tests again them.
“I’m 2-0 in my Tests against Bazball. I look at the Australian cricket team and the batters we’ve had, David Warner for example. I’ve seen him score hundreds in a session and that’s off playing an attacking brand of cricket," he added.
The 35-year-old went on to claim that England’s Bazball was a lot of smoke and mirrors. “I think there’s a lot of smoke and mirrors with Bazball, if I’m being honest with you, and I feel like if you’re going to play an aggressive brand of cricket anyway, it’s about being able to go up and down in gears and understanding the moments in the game,” Lyon commented.
Down 0-2 in the series, England were in danger of losing the Ashes once again. However, the introduction of pacers Mark Wood and Chris Woakes from the third Test onwards changed the momentum of the series. Wood ran through Australia’s batting with his fiery pace and bounce, while Woakes produced plenty of movement to trouble the visitors.
England were completely dominant in the last three Tests. They beat Australia by three wickets in yet another close encounter at Headingley in Leeds. The Englishmen were well on top when rain enforced a draw at Old Trafford in Manchester. The final Test of a wonderful series was also a close one, with England prevailing by 49 runs in Stuart Broad’s farewell Test. Chasing 384, Australia were held to 334 as Woakes claimed four scalps, Moeen Ali three, while Broad signed off by claiming the last two wickets.
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