This afternoon has been a struggle, FML. Getting up at 2:30am with no return to bed is a killer. This is worse than working with a hangover.
England have a first innings lead in spite of Bazball not because of it. We have put ourselves in a good position by understanding that traditionally Perth is a fast and bouncy wicket, and you need a good fast paced attack. We have actually gone with a traditional approach with the bowling and it's worked. Kudos to old Baz for that. That's not to say being aggressive won't be a valid tactic in later Tests, and you may well be right with your statement, but let's not pretend Bazball is a magic bullet and it's why we've come out with a first innings lead.
I still doubt the pitch is a 170 AO pitch. It's quick and carries well, but there's little swing here and it's not exactly a minefield. There's runs to be had if you get yourself in.
England contrived to throw wickets away against some pretty average to good bowling (Starc being excellent, tbf), whereas England bowled exceptionally well for 39 overs. As good a team bowling performance as I've seen for years. A weak Australian batting lineup simply had no answer. It was a good day. Let's hope the batting lineup doesn't collapse (again) and undo the superb bowling performance.
If Australia bowl like we have, then you hold your hands up, but I don't want to see us throw wickets away needlessly. Especially when time is not a factor. We could be as cautious as we like, I appreciate that won't happen, but we could.
England have a first innings lead in spite of Bazball not because of it. We have put ourselves in a good position by understanding that traditionally Perth is a fast and bouncy wicket, and you need a good fast paced attack. We have actually gone with a traditional approach with the bowling and it's worked. Kudos to old Baz for that. That's not to say being aggressive won't be a valid tactic in later Tests, and you may well be right with your statement, but let's not pretend Bazball is a magic bullet and it's why we've come out with a first innings lead.
I still doubt the pitch is a 170 AO pitch. It's quick and carries well, but there's little swing here and it's not exactly a minefield. There's runs to be had if you get yourself in.
England contrived to throw wickets away against some pretty average to good bowling (Starc being excellent, tbf), whereas England bowled exceptionally well for 39 overs. As good a team bowling performance as I've seen for years. A weak Australian batting lineup simply had no answer. It was a good day. Let's hope the batting lineup doesn't collapse (again) and undo the superb bowling performance.
If Australia bowl like we have, then you hold your hands up, but I don't want to see us throw wickets away needlessly. Especially when time is not a factor. We could be as cautious as we like, I appreciate that won't happen, but we could.