‘We have no one to blame but ourselves’: England MD Rob Key ‘frustrated’ by ‘nonsense’ surrounding Bazball discussions

Rob Key, the managing director of men’s cricket for England, has expressed his frustration over the perceptions surrounding Brendon McCullum’s teams, particularly the notions of arrogance and a carefree attitude.

Since taking on the role of head coach for England’s Test squad in 2022, McCullum, together with Test captain Ben Stokes, has introduced a bold philosophy known as Bazball.

This approach prioritises fast-paced entertainment over the conservative batting tactics traditionally associated with Test cricket.

This year, McCullum also took charge of England’s white-ball teams; however, they have faced difficulties, suffering a series defeat against India and being swept in all three matches at the recent Champions Trophy.

The team’s recent poor performance has raised concerns over their image and approach, with Bazball facing scrutiny.

In an interview with BBC’s Radio 5 Live, Key voiced his exasperation over the ongoing discussions surrounding Bazball.

“I recently came across an article highlighting the ‘most memorable Bazball quotes’, and it honestly made me cringe,” he remarked.

“Yes, it irritates me how we’re perceived, but we have to take responsibility for that ourselves.”

“Some statements made by players during interviews are taken out of context, which is misleading. When they say things like, ‘We don’t care about winning,’ that’s simply not true.”

“At times, a coach needs to elevate the players and, when things are going well, temper their spirits; that balance is crucial.”

Key’s remarks followed a peculiar statement from all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who remarked that England did not deserve to lose after their opening match defeat at the Champions Trophy.

However, this belief is simply a facet of the Bazball philosophy.

England experienced a wave of self-doubt following the 2023 Ashes series, which concluded in a draw, allowing Australia to retain the urn.

“After the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston – it was a complete rollercoaster – Brendon mentioned that those close matches often feel like victories,” Key shared.

“Hence why it frustrates me when comments are misinterpreted. He’s genuinely trying to uplift the team; he wants to ensure they don’t feel defeated, as they still have four Tests to play.”

Having been a 15-Test player during his career, Key also dismissed claims that management had overly prioritised Test cricket while neglecting the white-ball format, despite acknowledging that his attention had been primarily on the Ashes prior to the team’s unsuccessful ODI World Cup defence.

Key’s next significant task will be to identify a successor to Jos Buttler as captain of the white-ball team, following Buttler’s resignation after England’s disappointing exit from the Champions Trophy.

England’s upcoming fixtures include a one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May, followed by a white-ball series against the West Indies.