Rashid Khan's one-word reaction to whether he will miss Bazball after Brendon McCullum sacking as England Test coach originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Rashid Khan was asked by Michael Vaughan whether he would miss Bazball.
The Afghanistan spinner initially said no before admitting he would.
Brendon McCullum was sacked as England Test coach earlier this month.
The Bazball era in red-ball cricket is over. Brendon McCullum was removed as England's Test coach earlier this month after seven defeats in nine matches, while Ben Stokes, the captain who fronted the whole project, has retired from international cricket.

#bazball #mccullum #whether

Royal Challengers Bengaluru batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik believes Andy Flower would be an outstanding candidate to succeed Brendon McCullum as England's Test head coach but feels the Zimbabwean is unlikely to leave the IPL franchise because of his existing commitments.

England are searching for a new Test coach after McCullum stepped down from the role following a disappointing run in red-ball cricket. While he will continue to oversee England's white-ball teams, the Test side is looking for a fresh leader after the end of the 'Bazball' era.

Flower, who previously guided England to the top of the ICC Test rankings and their last Ashes triumph in Australia, has emerged as one of the names linked with the vacancy. However, Karthik believes balancing England's Test calendar with Flower's commitments at RCB would be extremely difficult.

"In all seriousness, I think he'll be a great candidate," Karthik said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.

"He definitely should be one of the names thought of, but I would be very surprised if he took it, considering where England are and his packed schedule as well. He used to do a lot of leagues, and I'm sure that he didn't have time. I read an article which said that England will be happy to accommodate IPL and then the rest of Test cricket, but with the schedule being the way it is, [it'll be very difficult]. Like, when Jacob Bethell didn't come in for the first Test, Jofra Archer not being available, it kicked up a fuss, and there were plenty of people saying, 'Why? How come one of the players is not there?'"

Karthik also questioned whether England could accept their Test coach missing matches during the IPL, pointing to Flower's commitment with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

"With Andy Flower, with an already pre-signed contract with RCB, which would mean that he would miss parts of all those [Tests]. Will it be okay for England in the preparation for the Ashes if they don't have a coach for a Test match or two? I heard there's a Test match against Bangladesh in May next year, and if Andy Flower is doing RCB, that could be a challenge as well."

Despite those concerns, Karthik had no doubts about Flower's coaching credentials.

"Is he good? Definitely. He is probably one of the best in the world, if not the best. Will he have time? That's the question. I would be very surprised if the answer is a yes," he said.

Flower joined RCB ahead of the 2024 IPL season on a three-year deal and has remained a key figure in the franchise's coaching set-up. While he is among the leading contenders to replace McCullum, Karthik believes the demands of international cricket and franchise commitments make such a move difficult to envisage.

NEW DELHI: Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes Andy Flower is the ideal candidate to replace Brendon McCullum as England's Test head coach following the end of the 'Bazball' era. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday that McCullum will step down as Test coach after four years in charge but will continue to lead England's ODI and T20 teams.

McCullum's departure came after England lost the Ashes 1-4 in Australia and suffered seven defeats in their last nine Test matches, including a recent home series loss to New Zealand.

Hussain said England need someone with great attention to detail and believes Flower is the perfect fit.

"For me, the best person for that would be Andy Flower by a country mile. Flower took England to number one in the world. I love Flower's approach to coaching - he was meticulous in everything that he did," Hussain told Sky Sports News.

He added that those qualities have been missing from England's Test team in recent years.

"That's what's been lacking in this England Test match side. I would do anything if I was Rob Key (ECB Managing Director) and the ECB to go and get Andy Flower."
Hussain also questioned the ECB's decision to hand both the red-ball and white-ball coaching roles to McCullum.

"I don't think it was the right thing to do for Rob Key to give both the white-ball and the Test jobs to the same person. I think it's the right thing now for McCullum to focus on white-ball cricket. Giving McCullum [all the roles] was a mistake with the modern schedule"

He believes McCullum is better suited to the limited-overs format.

"[On Saturday], they won at Southampton, they are the number one T20 ranked team in the world - I think his coaching style is suited for white-ball cricket," he said.

Hussain praised McCullum for transforming England's Test side after taking charge in 2022 alongside captain Ben Stokes.

Under McCullum, England played an aggressive brand of cricket that became known as 'Bazball' and recorded memorable series wins over New Zealand and Pakistan, while drawing the 2023 home Ashes series 2-2.

However, Hussain believes recent performances made a coaching change unavoidable.

"No one is overly thrilled when a coach loses his job, and you do have to remember the great times that McCullum gave us," Hussain said.

"He is a coach that the brand of cricket - 'Bazball' - was named after. From where England were before him and Stokes, I think it would be wrong not to mention the way they played at the start. They were an absolute joy to watch. In the end, it's been a run of seven losses in the last nine Test matches, and with the manner of those defeats, I think it was about the right time," the former captain said.

Brendon McCullum's final call, like a last act of petty defiance, was to have a beer.
On the evening before McCullum was sacked as England's Test head coach, he used his authority to lift the ECB's drinking ban. "I think we'll have a quiet beer and just let this one land," said McCullum, reflecting on England's restorative 4-0 win over India which sent them to the summit of the T20 world rankings. "Just as long as no one lands on the front page."
Hours later, it was McCullum's name in the headlines. The ECB's CEO Richard Gould credited the coach for breathing "new life" into the England Test team over the past four years, but added: "The time is right to make a change as we target victory in The Ashes next summer." McCullum , who will stay on as white-ball coach, said he was "gutted ... but I respect the decision".
The hedonistic destruction of India over recent days stirred memories of those first summer days and everything that was loved about the Bazball era. Wickets, sixes, impossible numbers. Carefree cricket, the entertainers, winning wearing sunglasses and sliders, permanently in holiday mode. Beers by the pool, beers in the pool.
England had been horrendous to watch, to play for, to write about, until McCullum sprinkled some magic dust into the Test arena. He gave Stuart Broad and James Anderson a new lease of life, he made Joe Root see batting from a new perspective. Some of the cricket that followed was incredible, unthinkable: the wild run rates, the bonkers fourth-innings chases. Test cricket reached new fans, old fans, fans tired of watching England collapse in a heap.

Brendon McCullum has been sacked as Test coach in another staggering twist in the unravelling of the England team.
Two weeks after Ben Stokes made the stunning announcement to step down as captain and retire from international cricket, McCullum's exit brings a definitive end to the Bazball era.
The New Zealander will continue as England's white-ball coach, but leaves the Test team following a string of poor results and several off-field incidents.
Director of cricket Rob Key will remain in his position, with the decision to remove McCullum coming after the hierarchy of the England and Wales Cricket Board spent time reflecting on the situation surrounding the men's team.
"I've absolutely loved coaching the Test side and I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved together," said McCullum. "There've been some unbelievable highs and a few tough days along the way, but that's all part of taking on a challenge like this.

'Failed dismally': Adam Gilchrist slams Bazball, predicts significant changes in England cricket soon originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Adam Gilchrist declares Bazball has "failed dismally" after two wins in ten Tests.
England's attacking approach worked early but collapsed against top opposition.
Gilchrist expects significant leadership changes involving Brendon McCullum and Rob Key.
Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist has not minced his words and he believes Bazball has "failed dismally", predicting that English cricket is heading for significant changes at the top sooner rather than later.

NEW DELHI: Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar led tributes to Ben Stokes after the England great announced his retirement from international cricket, praising his fearless approach, match-winning temperament and inspirational leadership in an emotional social media post.

Stokes confirmed that the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge would be the final international appearance of his illustrious 15-year career, bringing the curtain down on one of the most influential careers in modern cricket.

Reacting to the announcement, Tendulkar hailed Stokes for the energy and intensity he brought to every contest while acknowledging the immense impact he had as both an all-rounder and captain.

"benstokes38, I've always admired the way you brought energy into the game. Your positivity, your fearless intent, and the way you shaped moments under pressure stood out every time you walked in," Tendulkar wrote on X.

The Indian legend went on to describe Stokes as one of England's finest all-rounders.

"As an all-rounder, you've been one of England's finest, and as a captain, your bold tactics and instinctive reading of the game added a new edge to your side."

Tendulkar concluded with a heartfelt farewell while adding a touch of humour.

"Wishing you the very best for what comes next. Though knowing you, staying away from the middle might be the hardest part. Good luck for your next innings!"
Stokes' farewell, however, ended in disappointment as Tom Latham's New Zealand completed a 160-run victory at Trent Bridge to seal the three-match series 2-1. It was the first home Test series defeat of Stokes' career as both player and captain.

Despite the result, the 35-year-old insisted he was completely at peace with his decision.

"I'm done, mate, and I'm very happy," Stokes told the BBC after the match.

The England star admitted the decision had taken months of thought and discussions with those closest to him.

"I am incredibly content with everything right now. It's a decision that you don't take lightly. It has taken a lot of time."

Stokes also acknowledged that a turbulent few weeks, including disciplinary controversy following England's victory at Lord's, "maybe" influenced the timing of his retirement, but stressed that years of physical and mental demands had ultimately taken their toll.
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"Over the last 6-12 months I think everything that I've done over a long period of time has taken its toll," he said.

Having captained England through the transformative "Bazball" era and played starring roles in the country's 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup triumphs, Stokes leaves the international stage as one of England's defining cricketers.

Former England fast bowler and Ashes winner Steve Harmison has strongly criticised England's current Test setup, saying head coach Brendon McCullum should step down following Ben Stokes' international retirement announcement during the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

Harmison, who played 63 Tests and took 226 wickets for England, said he has never been convinced by the aggressive "Bazball" approach introduced by McCullum.

While the strategy initially brought success, Harmison believes England's recent performances, including a heavy Ashes defeat and inconsistent Test results, show that the approach is no longer working.

Harmison argued that Stokes and McCullum were a package deal meant to reshape England's Test cricket, and with Stokes stepping away, McCullum should follow.

“McCullum has got to go with him. And that's it. If we're gonna go through that conversation, McCullum's got to go with him. I've got a huge amount of respect for Brendon McCullum as a person, but this Bazball stuff, that's not Test cricket. That's amateur,” Harmison told Talksport Cricket.

He also questioned how senior batter Joe Root might be viewing England's recent struggles.

"I'd love to know what Joe Root’s thinking of this, walking out to bat. I'd really love to know what Joe Root's thinking about this whole last two-week period. But I think with Ben Stokes going now, Brendon McCullum's influence on this team now, I'm not convinced it's great for English cricket, especially in the Test Match Arena, with an Ashes series less than 12 months away,” he added.
Stokes shocked the cricket world by announcing his international retirement during the fourth day of the third Test. Explaining his decision, he admitted that mental and physical exhaustion had played a major role.

"It might sound quite selfish, but this decision is genuinely the best thing for me right now," Stokes told Sky Sports.

"I hope it's the best thing for the team going forward, but I also hope it's what will allow me to keep loving this game that has given me so much.

"The Lord's Test, for me, was something that brought back negative feelings about where I was in my career. I'd worked so hard since getting home [from Australia] to put things right, or at least that's what I thought I was doing. I put so much time and effort into doing that, and I just burned myself out," he added.

'This is where we destroyed Australia': Ben Stokes relives Ashes glory and Bazball memories at Trent Bridge before ENG vs NZ originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ben Stokes recalled some of his favourite Trent Bridge memories ahead of England's third Test against New Zealand.
The England captain was speaking to Sky Sports Cricket's Michael Atherton amid the nightclub incident controversy.
Atherton and later Stokes described Trent Bridge, Nottingham, as the birthplace of Bazball.
England had also beaten Australia in the fourth Test of the 2015 series at the venue, winning the Ashes series.

Henry Nicholls made an instant impact on his return to New Zealand colours, stepping in for the retired Kane Williamson and delivering a composed unbeaten century to push his side into a dominant position against England on day three of the Test at The Oval.

By stumps on Friday, New Zealand had reached 252 for 3 in their second innings, effectively stretching their overall lead to 352 after bowling England out for 291 just before lunch. Nicholls remained unbeaten on 119, anchoring the innings alongside Rachin Ravindra, who made a fluent 76 before his dismissal after tea.

The pair added 161 runs from 201 ******* , setting a new record for New Zealand's highest partnership at The Oval. Their stand first stabilised the innings, then steadily built control before shifting gears after tea, when they began scoring at nearly six an over with crisp timing and clean strokeplay.

New Zealand's position puts them firmly in charge of the match, with seven wickets still in hand and the opportunity to push towards a 500-run lead. That would leave England facing a steep fourth-innings challenge, especially given their history at the venue. Their highest successful chase at The Oval remains 263 against Australia in 1902, while their highest ever fourth-innings chase anywhere is 378 for 3 against India at Edgbaston in 2022 during the Bazball era.

Nicholls, who arrived in London only last Sunday after Williamson's shock retirement, admitted the transition was unexpected. "(Williamson retiring) was a bit of a shock to everyone," he said. "I've been lucky enough to play a lot of my cricket with Kane. I wasn't ever going to be able to replace him. I just really enjoyed being back in test cricket, you want to contribute. It was fun, the partnership with Rachin and with Daryl (Mitchell) at the end there."

Walking in early at 8 for 1, Nicholls faced Jofra Archer bowling at high pace and had to settle quickly. He survived the initial burst, then rebuilt after Devon Conway's dismissal alongside Ravindra, who played the more attacking role while Nicholls provided stability.

There were a couple of early alarms, including a dropped chance on 7 by debutant wicketkeeper James Rew, who endured a difficult outing behind the stumps. England's bowling struggled to break the stand through the middle session as the duo methodically drained energy from the attack and the crowd.

After tea, however, the tempo shifted dramatically. Nicholls reached his half-century from 72 ******* , with Ravindra following shortly after off 79 deliveries for his first fifty against England. Ravindra's innings ended on 76 when he was trapped lbw by Jacob Bethell, who once again proved decisive after taking three wickets in the first innings.

Nicholls brought up his century soon after, reaching the milestone off 133 ******* with his 14th boundary, driven through midwicket off Bethell. It was his 11th Test hundred in his 59th match and his second against England, having previously