The Ashes: Bazball Effect - England's Bold Declaration Sets Up Interesting Test vs Australia

June 16 saw the first Test between England and Australia get underway. England are looking to win their first Ashes series since 2015 while Australia aim to win their 1st Test series on English soil since 2001. Needless to say, the five Tests over the next six weeks promise to entertain to the core as neither of these sides is known for backing down. Australia have momentum behind them having just been crowned World Test Champions while England are difficult to get the measure of at home.

Even before the series began, it was evident that the battle would be between England's Bazball approach against Australia's pace battery. The concept of scoring at a brisk rate even if wickets are falling in order to put the opposition under pressure, is one introduced by coach Brendon McCullum. McCullum himself played in this style and now he's incorporating it in England's batting. And more often than not, it has paid dividends.

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The effect was there for all to see on the opening day itself. England opted to bat and went on the attack itself. In the first session in spite of losing 3 wickets, they were scoring close to five runs per over. In the final session, they almost scored at six an over in spite of losing 3 wickets.

England declared boldly at 393/8 in 78 overs. The plan was to have a crack at the Aussie openers. Nonetheless, Usman Khawaja and David Warner remained unseparated at the close of play with the score being 14/0 in 4 overs. England's overall scoring rate was over five runs per over.

The English batters went after Australia's bowling even as the Aussies kept chipping away at the wickets. It was evident from their rate of scoring that the hosts were playing fearless cricket. Zak Crawley (61 in 73). Joe Root (118* in 152) and Jonny Bairstow (78 in 78) were the main causes of destruction. All the Aussie bowlers went over at least 4 runs per over with Nathan Lyon taking 4 wickets to lead the pack though he was peppered for 149 runs in 29 overs.

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This bold declaration by Ben Stokes sets up the Test very nicely as it gives England extra time on Day 2 to go hard at Pat Cummins' men. But there is a flip side to it. It also allows Australia to play in a more relaxed manner and on a potentially dead wicket, if they get a sizeable lead, their bowlers will also be well rested having not spent too much time on the field. On the other hand, England's bowlers have had to come on pretty early and if the 11 players have to field for a long time, they will be weary when they come out to bat.

So there you have it. Was it a masterstroke or a recipe for disaster? Only time will tell. Who will win? England or Australia? Or will it be a draw? Or maybe a tie? Let's wait and watch as anything is possible.