24 March 2023 , 18:46
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Australia captain Pat Cummins has praised England's "impressive" new 'Bazball' approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum ahead of this summer's Ashes.
England have won ten out of 12 Tests under Stokes and McCullum so far while playing a new positive and aggressive brand of cricket and, with Australia currently the number one ranked Test team in the world, it's set to be a fascinating Ashes series later this year.
"They've really stuck to their method and are willing to live and die by that method," Cummins told Fox Sports when asked about 'Bazball'. "They've been impressive, they've found a way to play a totally different style that gives them the best chance of winning."
However, he also insisted Australia would not get sucked in to trying to imitate 'Bazball' during the Ashes, having only lost three of the 15 Tests Cummins has been in charge for since he was appointed skipper last year.
"Over the last 18 months, the way we've gone about it has been really successful, so you don't want to lose sight of that," he added. "I think that's the most important - worry about what we do well, rather than looking at the opposition."
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Cummins also dropped a hint about David Warner's future, with the 36-year-old opener in the midst of a poor run of form. Since the start of 2021, Warner has averaged just 29.48 and he has never scored a hundred in England.
In 13 Ashes Tests away from home, he averages just 26.04 and notably struggled against Stuart Broad in the 2019 series. And when asked directly if Warner would open in the Ashes, Cummins replied: "We'll have to wait and see.
David Warner's position at the top of the order has come under scrutiny (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)"The bowlers can get on top over in England with the new ball. It seams around; it can be tough for opening batters. But openers who can put pressure back on the bowlers, they're priceless.
"I know as a bowler, if someone's a sitting duck, you feel like you're going to get them eventually. If someone's kind of taking the game to you, it presents a different challenge.
"That's been the hallmark of Davey's career. Over there in England, that's what you'd want out of him, putting that pressure back on the bowlers."