Mitchell Johnson: Bazball is just a 50/50 gamble and will not work over five Tests in Australian conditions

West Australian

a day ago

At the start of this winter's England v India series, I'll admit I had some concerns. England looked like they might be a real handful come the Ashes this summer in Australia.
Their aggressive 'Bazball' approach had been unsettling teams, and early signs suggested they were ready to keep the momentum rolling. Now, with the series ending in a 2-2 draw, and after reflecting on a mix of player comments and outside observations this week — particularly from a few former players — I'm not so worried about the threat they pose. For me Bazball is England's only strength, and yet it is still a 50/50 gamble.
The drawn series result itself was telling. This was England in their own backyard, on pitches they know inside out - flat and bat last type decks - against an India side that's always tough but not unbeatable away from home.
For Australia's players watching from afar, this would have been a confidence booster. It's not about underestimating the Poms — they'll still be up for a fight when they land here — but the cracks are visible and the call of 5-0 from Glenn McGrath is already out there. The mind games have already begun.
There's no denying England's batting strength on paper. Their aggressive scoring rates can put a side under enormous pressure if it clicks. But in Australia, pitches are different and that unpredictability in the Bazball method can turn against them. The Australian bowling line-up knows what they are doing. Playing that brand of cricket on a true, fast wicket where the ball gets big on you is a different challenge altogether.
On flat decks or slow turners, Bazball's risk-taking can look fearless. As the ball flies through at Optus Stadium or against a pink ball at the Gabba, it can look reckless. And that's where Australia will back themselves — to make the conditions part of the contest.
Both sides have strengths and weaknesses, but I'm now more settled in my view of where the Ashes will head: Australia's way. And that's even with our own unsettled top three.
That's not to say it'll be one-way traffic. England will come hard, and if they win key moments, they can turn the momentum quickly. But the blueprint to beat them is clearer now: make them bat in tough conditions, stick to your plans, and don't get sucked into playing their tempo.
Not winning at home raises eyebrows. Home conditions are supposed to be your safety net, your fortress. England had their chances in this series, but a combination of inconsistent batting under pressure and a bowling unit that looked less threatening without James Anderson and Stuart Broad left the door open.
It also sends a message to Australia's bowlers that England's batting can be contained if you keep them in check early. The big question is whether Bazball is built to last over a long series, especially on away tours.
Of course, Australia isn't without its own headaches. Our top three is still a work in progress, and while we've got a few first-class players making the right moves, no one's cemented those spots yet. Sam Konstas being sent to India with the Australia A team is a good move, but as George Bailey rightly pointed out, it's no guarantee he'll feature in the Ashes summer.
For me, Konstas needs time — proper time — in the middle. He needs to get seasoned at first-class level. It's easy to get excited about a talented young player, but nothing replaces the grind and experience of State cricket. There's no rush. If a player is good enough, their time will come.
One name that should have everyone's attention is Lance Morris. He's eager to bowl fast — and not just in bursts, but consistently. That hunger is invaluable, and in Australian conditions, raw pace is a weapon you can't overvalue.
Then there's the battle for the opening and No.3 slots. Nathan McSweeney and Jake Weatherald have both been making plenty of noise in the Australia A series against Sri Lanka A. Runs in those conditions on home turf matter, and for me, both should be genuine possibilities for the summer.
For England, the India series was a test of their new approach's resilience, and the jury is still out. For Australia, it's a reminder that while England can dominate in patches, they're not invincible. The mental edge in Ashes cricket often starts months before the first ball is bowled, and I love it!
The drawn England–India series hasn't just been a result; it's been a preview of summer storylines. England's batting is their strength, but also their gamble. Australia's bowling depth and home conditions could turn that gamble against them.
Our own top order remains unsettled, but there's talent pushing hard for selection, and the pace stocks are strong.
From a player's point of view, watching England fail to win at home doesn't make you complacent — it sharpens your focus. You see the gaps, you see where they can be got at, and that belief heading into an Ashes summer is priceless.
But in the end, the talk doesn't get the wins as England have shown recently. Let the games begin.