Football coach Gareth Southgate on "Bazball": "First Team In My Lifetime"

About

     Many spectators and analysts were caught off guard by England cricket team captain Ben Stokes' decision to declare their first innings at the conclusion of Day 1 of the first Ashes Test against Australia on Friday. Fans anticipated that England would continue batting until they reached 393/8, but Stokes chose to use his bowlers to attack the Australia openers, which split experts. Gareth Southgate, the head coach of the England football team, also expressed his opinion on the matter and claimed that he had never in his life witnessed anything like it.

     Southgate responded to Stokes' unexpected statement during the press conference that followed England's 4-0 victory over Malta in their Euro 2024 qualification game.

What he said

     "Cricket is something that is currently quite fascinating to watch, and I am a big fan. Australia has several players of the highest calibre, but England's mindset has been a significant factor. We have a good number of players who, in my opinion, belong in a World XI. Thus, the standard is also quite high, but there has unquestionably been a change in their style of play," according to Southgate, who spoke at the press conference.

Overview

     "In my lifetime, I believe this is the first team to declare at 393/8 on Day 1. That will be an interesting choice because, ultimately, people will assess your coaching decisions based on the results. But that's a hint as to the perspective they're approaching the series from," according to Southgate.