Bazball and the Ashes: Australia's Drive for a Rare Whitewash
The third Ashes Test in Adelaide is set to be a day match amid forecast highs of up to 39C, reviving memories of the traditionally brutal Adelaide playing conditions. For Australia, beating England remains the principal goal, with the Bazball strategy viewed as an irritant but ultimately just a variation of the same England setup they aim to overcome. Australians are keen to annihilate the visiting team both tactically and philosophically.
A clean 3-0 lead would intensify momentum against England and sustain domestic interest throughout the Christmas and New Year period. The prospect of a 4-0 result is bolstered by the upcoming Boxing Day Test, while a 5-0 Ashes whitewash remains an elusive feat, last achieved under Warwick Armstrong in 1920-21. Historical precedents for dominance in series whitewashes include Steve Waugh’s 2001 five-Test sweep of the West Indies and Australia’s 2006-07 whitewash against England, with Mitchell Johnson’s 2013-14 prolific bowling spell also noted.
Australians view England’s recent coaching and captaincy contract extensions as ill-timed amid the turmoil in the English camp. Ultimately, the domestic excitement generated by an Ashes whitewash would far exceed that of a closely contested 2-2 result, providing Australians an extra dollop of relish in their quest to lay waste to Bazball and reclaim Ashes supremacy.
