Pat Cummins says he 'doesn't really care' when asked if Bazball is dead ahead of Australia v Bangladesh Test
Australia captain Pat Cummins dismissed questions about the end of England’s Bazball era at a pre-match press conference ahead of the first Test against Najmul Hossain Shanto’s Bangladesh in Darwin on August 13, 2026. When asked about Bazball’s apparent demise he replied, “Uh, no. Don’t really care.”
Bazball began in 2022 under captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum after they took charge of an England side that had won just one of their previous 17 Tests. The duo promoted an attacking, risk-taking style that prioritised pushing for victory rather than avoiding defeat, and England opened their partnership with a 3-0 series win over New Zealand. Across McCullum’s four-year tenure England recorded 27 Test wins and two draws, but did not secure either an Ashes series or a Test series win in India.
A reporter put the question directly during Cummins’ pre-match media session: “Pat, Bazball is apparently dead and buried now. Got any insights into how you were able to kill it off and what the future of English cricket will look like now?” Cummins’ terse reply was captured at the time. The exchange was shared on social media by Hamza Khan with the text: Question: Bazball is dead now. What is the future of English Cricket..??Pat Cummins: No, I don't really care.No one can roast opposition like Pat Cummins. pic.twitter.com/YsS1hsYDbw— Hamza Khan (@Hamzakhan17_) August 12, 2026
The match in Darwin begins a two-match Test series for Australia against Bangladesh and marks the start of Australia’s new Test campaign. Cummins will lead a side reunited with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon for the series opener.
Australia enter the fixture looking to strengthen their position at the top of the World Test Championship 2025-27 points table; they currently have 84 points and a points percentage of 87.50, having won seven of their eight matches. The team’s WTC standing is explicitly cited as part of the context for the series.
England’s leadership changes this year are noted in the background to the Bazball debate: McCullum stepped down as Test head coach in July and Stokes announced his retirement shortly beforehand. England have reverted to new leadership under captain Joe Root and incoming head coach Stephen Fleming, and whether the team will retain Bazball’s attacking principles or adopt a different approach remains to be seen.
The first Test between Australia and Bangladesh starts in Darwin on August 13, 2026, kicking off the two-match series that will form Australia’s opening assignment of their new Test campaign.