Smith not convinced on merits of ‘Bazball’ tactics

Steve Smith has one major question about England’s so-called ‘Bazball’ test cricket revolution.

How will it work against Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood on a seaming English pitch?

England this week made it four from four under new coach Brendan McCullum, scoring at their quickest ever rate for a home summer at 4.6 an over.

Jonny Bairstow has averaged 102 and struck at better than a run a ball, while new captain Ben Stokes has spoken about trying to rewrite the way cricket is played.

But the question after England dismantled New Zealand’s quicks in three straight tests is how will it go against an in-form attack?

The answer was emphatic, as England chased down 378 in 76.4 overs with seven wickets in hand against India on Tuesday.

‘‘I’ve watched a little bit of it, it’s certainly been entertaining,’’ Smith said.

‘‘I’m just intrigued to see how long it lasts, if it’s sustainable.

‘‘If you come on a wicket that’s got some grass on it and Josh Hazlewood, Cummins and Starc are rolling in at you, is it going to be the same? We’ll see what happens.’’

Smith will have his answer next year, when Australia attempt to win their first Ashes series in England since 2001.

But regardless, ‘Bazball’ has already become the talking point of Australia’s test camp in Galle, Sri Lanka.

Players have jokingly yelled the phrase out on playing an aggressive shot in the nets, while also keeping an eye on England’s chases back at the team hotel.

In four tests under McCullum, England have chased down fourthinnings scores of 279, 299, 296 and most recently 378.

Before Tuesday, the most remarkable of those had come at Trent Bridge last month, with the target of 299 chased down in 50 overs on the final day of the test.

England’s golden summer has also helped return Joe Root to No 1 spot in the test rankings, off the back of two centuries in his past three tests.

The tons also took him to 28 for his career and above both Smith (27) and Virat Kohli’s 27 on the alltime hundreds charts.