How Reckless Can You Be?: Ashwin on England’s Batting in 1st Test
The Ashes 2025-26 series got off to a shocking start, with England suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Australia in the opening Test. The match, which was expected to be a closely contested affair, ended in a mere two days, leaving the English team reeling. The defeat has sparked a lot of debate, with many experts and former players weighing in on the team’s performance. One such voice is that of Ravichandran Ashwin, the former Indian all-rounder, who has been scathing in his criticism of England’s batting.
Ashwin, who has had a storied career in international cricket, was quick to point out the flaws in England’s batting approach. “As a batting group, how reckless can you be?” he asked, highlighting the team’s lack of application and discipline at the crease. His comments were in reference to England’s first innings, where they were bowled out for a paltry 172 runs. What was even more alarming was the manner in which they lost their wickets, with five batsmen falling in the space of just 12-20 runs.
This lack of resilience and grit was a hallmark of England’s batting throughout the match. On the first day, they were bundled out for a low score, and their second innings was not much better. The team’s inability to withstand the Australian bowling attack was evident, and it ultimately cost them the match. Ashwin’s criticism of England’s batting is not unfounded, and it is clear that the team needs to go back to the drawing board and re-evaluate their approach.
The concept of “Bazball,” which has been touted as a revolutionary approach to batting, has been under the scanner after England’s defeat. The term, which was coined by the team’s coach, Brendon McCullum, refers to an aggressive and attacking style of batting. While it has yielded results in the past, it seems to have backfired in this instance. Ashwin’s comments suggest that the team needs to strike a balance between aggression and caution, rather than being reckless and impulsive.
It is worth noting that England’s batting lineup is not short on talent. The team boasts of some of the most exciting and dynamic batsmen in the world, including the likes of Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Harry Brook. However, despite their individual brilliance, the team has struggled to put together a cohesive and consistent batting performance. This lack of cohesion was evident in the first Test, where the batsmen failed to build partnerships and put pressure on the Australian bowlers.
Ashwin’s criticism of England’s batting is not just limited to their technique or approach. He also questioned the team’s mindset and attitude, suggesting that they need to be more disciplined and focused in their batting. “On the first day, you were knocked out for 172, you lost five wickets in the space of 12…or maybe 20 runs,” he said, highlighting the team’s lack of application and resolve.
The defeat in the first Test is a wake-up call for England, and they will need to regroup and reassess their strategy if they are to bounce back in the series. The team’s batting coach, McCullum, will have his work cut out, as he tries to iron out the flaws in the team’s batting approach. The players, too, will need to take a hard look at their own games and work on developing a more balanced and disciplined approach.
In conclusion, Ashwin’s comments on England’s batting are a stark reminder of the team’s flaws and shortcomings. While they have been praised for their aggressive and attacking style of play, it is clear that they need to strike a balance between caution and aggression. The team’s batting coach and players will need to work together to develop a more cohesive and consistent batting approach, one that takes into account the strengths and weaknesses of each individual player.
As the series progresses, it will be interesting to see how England responds to Ashwin’s criticism and the defeat in the first Test. Will they be able to regroup and bounce back, or will they continue to struggle with their batting? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the team needs to take a long, hard look at their approach and make some significant changes if they are to succeed in the series.
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