England coach Brendon McCullum said the term "Bazball", used to describe the team's new swashbuckling approach to test cricket since his appointment, is "silly," adding that there is more to England's style of play than all-out attack.
England, who had been mired in a run of one win in 17 tests, brought in McCullum as coach and named Ben Stokes as their new captain in May and the duo have made an immediate impact.
England have won all four tests since the pair took charge, crushing world test champions New Zealand 3-0 in June before chasing down a record 378 against India this week.
"I don't have any idea what 'Bazball' is," McCullum told Australia's SEN Radio on Friday. "It's not just all crash and burn, if you look at the approach, and that's why I don't really like that silly term that people are throwing out there.
"There's actually quite a bit of thought that goes into how the guys manufacture their performances and when they put pressure on bowlers and which bowlers they put pressure on."
McCullum also downplayed the significance of the results England have achieved with their new approach, saying tougher challenges await his side.
England host South Africa in a three-test series beginning in August and take on rivals Australia in the 2023 edition of the Ashes.
"I certainly wouldn't say that we've changed the face (of test cricket)," McCullum said. "All we try and do is play a brand of cricket which gives the guys the greatest amount of satisfaction and gives them the best opportunity.
"We've also got an obligation to entertain. It's been a tremendous month, (but) we know that there are big challenges to come, one of which will be the Aussie boys, but we've just got to keep doing what we're doing."
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)