Australia Retains Ashes, Marking Rapid Defence Amidst Controversy Over 'Bazball'
Australia retained the Ashes after defeating England in just 11 days, tying the record for the fastest defence of the urn. This outcome contradicted pre-series predictions made by England observers, including Stuart Broad, who had anticipated a different result. Major Australian newspapers mocked England's forecasts and declared 'Bazball'—the cricketing approach popularised by England's coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes—as effectively dead. The West Australian published a parchment-style notice stating that Bazball was deeply lamented by McCullum and Stokes but by no one else.
The media coverage occurred amid the backdrop of fallout from the Bondi terror attack, which influenced how outlets reported on the Ashes series; some did not lead with the cricket match on their front pages, while others featured sport-page links or front-page splashes. Looking ahead to the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, concerns were raised regarding potential selection issues for Australian bowlers Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon. Meanwhile, fast bowler Mitch Starc aimed to participate in all five Tests, and the Herald Sun floated the possibility of a 5-0 whitewash by Australia.
