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Oldest Living Test Cricketer Neil Harvey Criticizes Bazball, Says Standards Have Slipped

The 97-year-old Australian great says standards have fallen, criticizing England’s ultra-attacking batting, claiming modern bats tilt the contest.

Overview

  • Harvey, 97, spoke in a January 6 interview with The Guardian, offering a veteran’s assessment of today’s Test cricket.
  • He said many international sides are weak and argued that Ashes contests are propping up interest in Australia.
  • He condemned England’s high-risk batting approach, saying it may work against ordinary teams but hurts chances against top opposition.
  • He argued modern bats give batters an unfair edge, with minimal contact sending the ball to the rope.
  • Despite his concerns, he praised Kane Williamson and Joe Root as premier batters and hailed Mitchell Starc for pace, bounce and swing.