Veteran Australian cricket commentator Jim Maxwell has issued an on-air apology after delivering a brutally frank assessment of England's aggressive 'Bazball' style during the second Ashes Test for the BBC.
A Live-Air Slip Sparks Laughter and Apology
The 75-year-old broadcasting legend, a frequent voice on the BBC's Test Match Special since 1983, was covering the match when he made the colourful remark. 'Bazball? It's Baz Bollocks, really,' Maxwell told listeners, using a slang term often denoting something untrue or nonsense. The comment was met with a moment of stunned silence followed by sniggers in the commentary box.
Following the on-air faux pas, Maxwell promptly apologised to listeners during the same broadcast, though he was reported to have laughed off the incident. The remark, referencing the attacking philosophy instilled by England coach Brendon McCullum, quickly spread across social media.
Social Media Erupts in Support of Maxwell's Blunt Take
Many cricket fans online revelled in the commentator's unfiltered opinion. Colleague Adam Blackmore shared on X, formerly Twitter, calling it a 'joyous moment of cutting through the current narrative re England.' Another supporter posted that it was their 'highlight of the Ashes so far...and probably won't be beaten,' while a third simply stated, 'Jim Maxwell…haha, never a truer word spoken.'
Maxwell, who began his career with the ABC in the 1970s and is often described as the 'voice of cricket' in Australia, is known for his laconic style and trademark humour. His decorated career spans five decades, covering seven ODI World Cups and a range of sports from rugby to golf.
A Storied Career and a Lifetime Achievement
In recognition of his excellence in sports journalism, Maxwell received a Lifetime Achievement award in 2021. His personal life also has a cricketing connection; he proposed to his now-wife Jennifer during the fifth Test of the 2013 Ashes, with their wedding subsequently held at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The incident highlights the ongoing debate around England's high-risk, high-reward 'Bazball' strategy, even as it provided a memorable, if slightly blue, moment in Ashes broadcasting history.
