England young batting sensation Harry Brook‘s latest comment about England not being focused on winning the Ashes 2023 series, but entertaining the fans has copped plenty of trolling and criticism from all quarters.
England have failed to regain the trophy for the fourth Ashes series in a row. Australia retained the Ashes after the draw in the 4th Test of the series, in Manchester, which means Australia continue to lead the series 2-1, heading into the 5th and final Test of the series, at The Oval. At best England can only draw the series, but have already lost the Ashes Urn.
The first three Tests were closely fought while it was in the 4th Test that England truly brought their Bazball batting to the fore. England have been the dominant side in the last two Tests, but mistakes in the first two have cost them the Ashes.
“We’re not focused on winning as a side, we’re focused on making people enjoy watching and bringing Test cricket alive again,” Brook said, referencing the appeal of the team’s Bazball Test cricket revolution.
“I think we’ve done a decent job of that in the last 12 months and it’s been exciting to watch. It’s definitely been exciting to play in.”
England’s Bazball revolution has been about being aggressive in all three departments of batting, bowling, and fielding, and going for the win for all the times. This has certainly brought more attention to Test cricket in the past 12 months, but Harry Brook’s recent statement of England not being focused on winning, rather on enjoying and entertaining the fans hasn’t gone down well with the fans.
Here are some of the reactions of fans, trolling Harry Brook for his comment:
Hope they release Moral Victory Rankings for teams, batters, bowlers every week. https://t.co/bxwyhYm9rr
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) July 26, 2023
https://twitter.com/albatrosscric/status/1684105748207239168?s=20
If I call this BS, which it is, I will get called a hater, Bazball doubter and what not. https://t.co/x3aNbwKJOw
— Aaditya Narayan (@AadityaN_28) July 26, 2023
Bairstow's dismissal entertained me. Not sure what the unending chatter about the Spirit was, then. Or does entertaining only come up when it suits the narrative? https://t.co/TTenBSWNLe
— Sarah Waris (@swaris16) July 26, 2023
Clearly… that's probably why Stokes declared on the first day of the series. He was clearly not focused on winning. He was thinking about the ratings like Tom Wambsgans at ATN…https://t.co/aQHfGa7wtA
— cricketingview (@cricketingview) July 26, 2023
Continue the same this winter in India. Entertain the public and lose 0-5 😌 https://t.co/EvHj2oigGd
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) July 26, 2023
Nobody enters a sporting arena without the desire of winning. This is such an appalling statement!
Also enough with this 'bringing Test cricket alive' narrative. It was never dead in the first place! #CricketTwitter https://t.co/xkNrvrSpCB
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) July 26, 2023
Reminds me of this legendary statement by a cricketer " winning and losing is not in our hands " also "qudarat ka nizam" had same vibe. https://t.co/AefVkLdd6T
— Archer (@poserarcher) July 26, 2023
We have Pakistan for that, don't need England https://t.co/rnBVJWkCpV
— Varun (@wizardrincewind) July 26, 2023
This is what coaches of 12 year olds say. Don’t focus on winning, have fun. But at the Test level, someone tell him, that by winning they’l make Test cricket more enjoyable. https://t.co/h9sbNAg3L5
— Arjun Dev (@arjun19dev) July 26, 2023
Agar itna hi logo ko entertainment dena hai to circus join karlo na. Why bother playing cricket? 🤡🤡 https://t.co/RhVUlulOul
— Hriday (Fan-Account) (@Hriday1812) July 26, 2023
Play with a clown costume. It'll be more entertaining and attract more crowds as well. https://t.co/uQrU6GjIhK
— Sagar (@SagarW_2002) July 26, 2023
https://twitter.com/50av150srt20iOP/status/1684093278512377856?s=20
The fifth Ashes Test will start at The Oval on Thursday.
