‘A field for TV rather than one to actually get any wicket’ – Sunil Gavaskar criticises Bazball for fields in the 1st Ashes Test.

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed his criticism of England’s unconventional fielding tactics during the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The closely contested match, led by Ben Stokes, resulted in a narrow loss for England, giving Australia a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Throughout the thrilling encounter, England employed several intriguing strategies, including a unique fielding approach during Australia’s batting innings. On the third day of the first Test, skipper Stokes implemented an umbrella-like field setup in an attempt to dismiss Usman Khawaja. This peculiar formation, nicknamed ‘Brumbrella,’ attracted significant attention. However, Gavaskar, renowned figure in Indian cricket, expressed his discontent with the tactic, suggesting that it was primarily for visual appeal and not aimed at taking wickets.

Sunil Gavaskar wrote for Mid Day column “The Ashes series in England seems to have caught the imagination of the cricketing public there. England are batting with a freedom that has not been seen before and more shots, both orthodox and unorthodox are being played under the regime of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum than before the duo took over. That’s where Bazball stops,”. “While bowling England are not doing anything different from earlier times. Yes, the field placements have been novel, with three men in catching positions on both sides of the wicket. Two fielders on either side of the pitch have been seen before and on air. I have called it a field for TV rather than one to actually get any wicket,”