Cricket: Steve Smith shouts 'Bazball' in the nets as Australia mock new England

Former Australian captain Steve Smith. Photo / Getty

Steve Smith has cast doubt over "Bazball" working against the Australian attack in next summer's Ashes series and revealed the term has become a running joke in the camp.

England's incredible turnaround since the last Ashes tour has raised hopes they can compete with Australia at home next year. Ben Stokes refuses to look beyond the next test and has avoided talk of playing Australia in 2023 but after four successful run chases, culminating in a record-breaking 378 against India at Edgbaston, there is a new mood sweeping through English cricket.

The transformation has been noted in the Australian camp with Smith shouting "Bazball" - the term for England's new style of play under test coach Brendon McCullum - as he batted in the nets on Wednesday as Australia prepare for the second test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Former Australia captain Smith wonders if England's approach is "sustainable" or whether it is a short-lived bounce under a new coach and captain.

"I've watched a little bit of it, it's certainly been entertaining, they're coming out playing their shots," he said. "Even someone like Alex Lees started to come down the wicket when he was on nothing really to play the way he played [against India].

"If you come on a wicket that's got some grass and Josh Hazlewood, [Pat] Cummins and [Mitchell] Starc are rolling in at you. Is it going to be the same? We'll see what happens."

Pat Cummins' side are 1-0 up in the series against Sri Lanka after batting at more than 4.5 runs an over in last week's first test, which was over in two days and one session.

England's energised approach to test cricket borrows heavily from Australia - the constant positivity, running hard between the wickets and attacking fields. Where they differ is that Australia have genuine pace.

"I think you saw the last test against England, the pink ball game in Hobart, when 'Heady' [Travis Head] and Marnus [Labuschagne] started to take the game on, the wicket was doing plenty, so it was a counteract, put the pressure back on the bowler mentality, and it worked on that occasion. Is it going to work every time? I don't know," said Smith.

"Guys just keep joking about it – I think Ronnie [Andrew McDonald, Australia head coach] has had enough of hearing about Bazball to be honest, it's good fun to joke about."