The mind games between arch-rivals Australia and England have already started ahead of the 2025 Ashes Test series.
David Warner recently sparked controversy recently by taking a dig at England's mindset in Test cricket.
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With a month to go before the series gets underway in Perth, the same old topic has re-emerged: whether England's Bazball approach is still intimidating. In response, the Aussies didn't hold back.
Here's what some Australian stars had to say.
What did Australia cricketers say about Bazball?
Bazball, a style named after England coach Brendon McCullum was based on giving players the freedom to play freely, especially in Test cricket, regardless of the situation.
While most England stars have thrived under this philosophy, they have also been inconsistent in their results, winning 25 and losing 14 out of a total of 41 matches.
In their conversation with The Grade Cricketer, several Australian legends weighed in on whether they are intimidated by Bazball's approach to batting.
Former wicketkeeper batter Adam Gilchrist reminisced about Australia cricket's domination in the 2000s. He was an integral part of the legendary side, who scored 5570 Test runs with 17 centuries at a strike rate of 82 in 96 matches.
"We were doing it 20 years before them, and it's just the way to play cricket -- you see the ball, hit it. No, [the Bazball] doesn't wind me up. It makes for compelling viewing. Bring it on," said Gilchrist.
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"I feel like in most cricket, if batters are scoring runs, that winds me up in general, I'd say not too much [about Bazball]," captain Pat Cummins said.
While Bazball has entertained crowds with its attacking style, Warner also remarked that English cricket wouldn't profit from sponsors if it didn't win matches.
When is the Ashes 2025/26 starting?
The 2025/26 Ashes Test series will start on November 21 at the Optus Stadium in Perth and will be played through the Australian summer till January 4-8 in Sydney.
Teams will play the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, followed by the New Year's Test at the SCG.
| Fixture | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| AUS vs ENG 1st Test | Nov 21-25 | Perth Stadium |
| AUS vs ENG 2nd Test (D/N) | Dec 4-8 | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| AUS vs ENG 3rd Test | Dec 17-21 | Adelaide Oval |
| AUS vs ENG 4th Test | Dec 26-30 | Melbourne Cricket Ground |
| AUS vs ENG 5th Test | Jan 4-8 | Sydney Cricket Ground |