Sunil Gavaskar, the former Indian captain, has raised concerns about England's preparation for the Ashes series, specifically questioning their reliance on the "Bazball" approach and the lack of first-class cricket played by the team. Gavaskar's critique comes amidst debates about the long-term sustainability of "Bazball," England's aggressive and entertainment-focused approach to Test cricket.

Gavaskar, writing in his column for Sportstar, questioned whether England should have engaged in more first-class matches leading up to the Ashes tour of Australia. He highlighted that consistent play, particularly in unfamiliar overseas conditions, is crucial for improvement.

The core of Gavaskar's argument centers on the mental adjustments required for Test cricket. He observed that modern batters often resort to counter-attacking strategies, whereas patience and breath control might be more effective in managing adrenaline and reducing bat speed. Without sufficient first-class experience, Gavaskar wonders how players can mentally adapt to the rhythm and demands of a Test match.

The term "Bazball" emerged in May 2022, coinciding with Brendon McCullum's appointment as Test head coach and Ben Stokes taking over as captain. This approach emphasizes positive decision-making in both attack and defense, encouraging batsmen to score rapidly and take calculated risks. England's bowling strategy under "Bazball" involves creating pressure through aggressive field placements, often prioritizing wicket-taking opportunities over defensive stability. The "Bazball" philosophy promotes fearless cricket, drawing inspiration from McCullum's perspective of playing each day as if it were the last.

Since adopting "Bazball," England has achieved remarkable success, winning 22 Tests, achieving a win/loss ratio of 1.833, and securing the second position in the ICC Test rankings. The team's run rate has also reached unprecedented levels for Test cricket. Despite these successes, "Bazball" has faced criticism, with some questioning its effectiveness against top-tier bowling attacks. Geoffrey Boycott criticized England's overly aggressive approach, suggesting that the team had lost sight of the primary objective: winning.

Gavaskar has been a vocal critic of "Bazball," particularly when it comes to facing high-quality opposition. He argued that the strategy's success was primarily against weaker bowling attacks and that "good old grinding batting" is essential against a top-class Australian attack.

While England won the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Gavaskar believes that more first-class cricket is necessary to hone the skills required for Test cricket. He questions how players can mentally adjust to the required rhythm of a Test match if they don't play enough first-class cricket.