04 April 2023 , 08:06
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Australia quick Mitchell Starc has praised England's new 'Bazball' approach ahead of this summer's Ashes series, admitting it is "probably not the best time to play them".
Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have completely rejuvenated England's Test team since taking charge last year, guiding them to ten wins in 12 while playing a new positive and aggressive brand of cricket that has been dubbed 'Bazball'.
Australia, meanwhile, are the number one ranked Test team in the world and are set to face India in the World Test Championship final ahead of the Ashes, having one more games than any other nation in the current two-year cycle.
And Starc believes the series will be an "unbelievable" contest given how much England have changed since they were thrashed 4-0 by Australia in the 2021-22 series. When asked about the Ashes during an appearance at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, Starc told Sky Sports: "I think it's going to be unbelievable.
"They're obviously playing an exciting brand of cricket. It's probably not the best time to play them but the best time in cricket to play England.
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"The Ashes, Bazball, Ronball, it will be great to see. It's going to be exciting to be a part of and hopefully it's a great spectacle to watch."
Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have guided England to ten wins in 12 Tests playing 'Bazball' (Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)Starc's comments come after Australia skipper Pat Cummins hailed England's "impressive" new approach. "They've really stuck to their method and are willing to live and die by that method," he told Fox Sports last month.
"They've been impressive, they've found a way to play a totally different style that gives them the best chance of winning.
"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. I think that's the most important - worry about what we do well, rather than looking at the opposition."