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How to tune into Sport NationPom’s view: Why Aussie Bazball barbs carry an extra edge
SEN • November 19th, 2025 10:01 am
Former England captain Mike Atherton believes the media barbs directed at the Poms “have carried an extra edge” ahead of this Ashes series.
Writing in his column for The Times, ‘Athers’ assessed some of the headlines being wheeled out by the Aussie media directed at England’s captain Ben Stokes, coach Brendon ‘Baz’ McCullum and star bat Joe Root.
“Average Joe” and “Baz Bawl” are among the narratives spun in the lead-up to the first Test in Perth on Friday.
The frequent reference of Bazball - England’s swashbuckling style under Kiwi McCullum - suggests to Atherton that there is some sort of resentment given Australian teams of the past, particularly those consisting of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, implemented a similarly daring philosophy years ago.
Atherton reckons this is an attempt to put the English off their game after seemingly nicking an ethos the Aussies believe they created.
He wrote: “All that said, there is something about this particular England team, and this particular philosophy — if “Bazball” can be so termed — that seems to wind Australians up to fever pitch and get under their skin. Criticisms of Stokes’s team have, I sense, carried a harder edge than usual, from respected opinion-makers as well as from those who can be safely ignored.
"After the end of the Old Trafford Test against India last summer, when England’s players carried on a bit, the reaction in Australia was revealingly harsh: “Babbling Brook and the Bazball boys will be eminently hateable this summer” ran one headline.
“Why is this? (Mitchell) Johnson hinted at a partial explanation in my interview with him over the weekend: that Australia feel, through the likes of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist initially, that they have been “Bazballing” for years. England, in this regard, are Johnny-come-latelys. True enough. But in the past three years, England have stolen Australia’s clothes, scoring at one run per over quicker (4.5 to 3.5)."
It's not just Athers that's given his take on the Bazball element of this series, Australian legend Glenn McGrath issued a warning of his own for the old enemy.
In a column for the BBC, he wrote: "How will England play Bazball on the big Australian grounds? English grounds are smaller. If you're going to try to hit sixes in Australia, make sure you hit them a long way, otherwise you'll be caught.
"When England are confident, they can be a real handful. They have a huge chance in the first Test, with Cummins and Hazlewood missing. If they can take that chance, it will give them confidence for the rest of the series.
"If England lose in Perth, they could be in for a very long series."
The there's the rumour of a boo-ban being imposed on the Barmy Army.
Will MacPhearson of the UK Telegraph reported from Perth that the WA-based Barmy Army coordinator Alison Foskett has said there would be no booing of Alex Carey adding that anyone abusing him would be kicked outof the support group.
Well that turned out to be bogus and the sledging is game on - with conditions.
"Senior figures in the Barmy Army confirmed to Telegraph Sport that in fact there would be no ban in place, and that they would not be telling England fans how to support their team," Macphearson wrote.
"They added, however, that they do have a code of conduct and official membership of the organisation could be revoked if members breach it."
The UK view on the Ashes is completed by quotes from Adam Gilchrist who is up in arms that the Barmy Army has secured tickets to the most sacred spot in the MCG.
The English fans will dominate bay 13, which Gilchrist says is "un-Australiam".
“You’re kidding? That’s un-Australian, that,” Gilchrist said.
“It’s un-Australian, I say that tongue in cheek of course. Good on them (the Barmy Army) for getting in early enough to book it, I guess.
“It’s going to create a good, fun atmosphere and I can see the smirk on their faces as they roll in there each day knowing they’ve kept the locals out."
Enough talk. Let the games begin, we say!
