• Source:JND
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Australian great Greg Chappell lambasted England's 'Bazball' philosophy during the high-intensity drawn five-match Test series against India, citing "positive cricket doesn't mean reckless cricket' as the new challenge awaits the Ben Stokes-led side in the Ashes.

Chappell lauded India's young team's fearlessness but reserved criticism for England, especially Harry Brook, for misreading situations, underscoring a critical weakness in their approach.

"England's own journey in this series presents a cautionary subplot - one embodied by the brilliant but mercurial Harry Brook, whose virtues I have extolled publicly before," Chappell, a former India head coach, said in his column for 'ESPNCricinfo.'

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"He has time, range, confidence, and that rare gift of making batting look effortless. But cricket, particularly Test cricket, is not just about shot-making. It's about judgement. About recognising when the moment demands attack - and when it demands restraint," he added.

England's batting suffered a dramatic collapse after Harry Brook's wicket at 301/3 in the 5th Test against India. The 26-year-old's dismissal flared a precipitous fall as the side lost the match by six runs on Monday and had to settle for a 2-2 series tie with India.

"Brook's dismissal at The Oval, with the game finely poised, was symptomatic of the conundrum that is facing the England setup. The "Bazball" philosophy - of fearless, attacking cricket - has revitalised their Test side. But it cannot become an excuse to avoid doing the hard yards," he added.

"...all England needed was for one batter to hold his nerve. To absorb pressure. Brook went for the glory shot - and perished. There's nothing wrong with positivity. But positive cricket doesn't mean reckless cricket. It means confident, calculated risk-taking," he pointed out.

Chappell believes Brook's growth into a deserving heir to Joe Root hangs on embracing a more rhythmic practice in tough match situations.

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"Brook is emerging, and he will learn. But to become the match-winner England need, he must embrace the grind along with the glamour. Root didn't become England's most prolific batter by always playing pretty strokes," Chappell said.

Giving his overall judgment of the series, Chappell said the fifth and final Test will be unforgettable for not just the result but also the "theatre" it created.

"The subplots. The redefinition of roles. Both sides were tested -- physically, tactically, emotionally. But it was India who emerged as moral victors. They won clarity. Identity. Purpose," he said.