Australia's triumphant captain, Pat Cummins, has declared that his side's relentless performance in the Ashes has effectively "knocked the stuffing" out of England's much-vaunted 'Bazball' philosophy. Cummins returned from a back injury to lead his team to a series-clinching victory in Adelaide, securing the urn with a commanding 3-0 lead.
A Shift in England's Aggressive Approach
Cummins observed a significant tactical retreat from the visitors during the crucial match. He pointed specifically to England's unusually cautious batting on the second day in Adelaide, played in 40-degree heat on a flat wicket, as evidence of their altered mindset. "They shut up shop for half the day, which I was pretty happy with," Cummins remarked, noting the stark contrast to the all-out aggression that has defined England's play under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.
The statistics underscored this dramatic shift. Faced with the early loss of top-order wickets, Stokes himself laboured to the slowest half-century of his Test career, taking 159 balls to reach fifty. England's overall scoring rate on that second day was a pedestrian 3.13 runs per over, a far cry from their typical high-octane style.
Australia's Steadfast Strategy Prevails
While England appeared to be searching for a new method, Cummins praised his own team's consistency. "I'm just glad we've been able to stick to our guns and play what we play best, which has worked," he stated. His comments followed England's costly rash of shots in the first two Tests in Perth and Brisbane, which prompted Stokes to publicly urge his team for more fight.
Cummins, who missed those initial wins due to back problems, returned to apply the finishing touches in Adelaide. With the Ashes now retained, he admitted that he may sit out the final two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, describing the mindset as "job's done."
Injury Concerns Loom for Final Tests
Australia's victory came at a cost, with further changes likely for the Boxing Day and New Year fixtures. Star spinner Nathan Lyon is expected to miss both matches after suffering a hamstring injury on the final day in Adelaide, seen leaving the ground on crutches. "It doesn't look great," Cummins conceded.
The hosts, who have already overcome absences including Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, and Steve Smith, will now consider a trio of backup spinners: Todd Murphy, Matt Kuhnemann, and Corey Rocchiccioli. Despite the growing injury list, Australia's unwavering strategy has proven decisive, leaving England's 'Bazball' identity in need of a serious reassessment ahead of the final two dead rubbers.
