We review the recently concluded five-Test series between England and Australia that ended 2-2 - with Australia retaining the Ashes. It was a series defined by England's 'Bazball' approach to batting - though that undersells how well Australia's batters resisted English bowling and how well Australia bowled in largely batting-friendly conditions.
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Talking Points:

A neutral view of the Ashes - and how it is hard to pick a team to support
The limits of Bazball - and why England's recent success stems from their bowling depth
 Australia's bowlers adjusting to the flat pitches and England's risk-taking
Why did England not want to prepare seamer-friendly pitches at home and capitalise on their big strength?
Stokes v Starc on the final morning at Lord's
The cult of Bazball - and how it fits in well with the English cricket establishment's exceptionalism
Mark Wood's pace and Nathan Lyon's absence
The effect of Bazball on England's bowling attack
Stuart Broad's cinematic goodbye
 England's chances in the five-Test series in India next year


Participants:
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)
Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd)
Kartikeya Date (@cricketingview) | Substack | ESPNcricinfo page
Ashoka (@ABVan)
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Related:

Why did Bazball fail to regain the Ashes - Kartikeya Date - Cricketingview Substack
Stokes and McCullum want to save Test cricket but we must look beyond Big Three - Jonathan Liew - Guardian
England 'wanted to pick Wood' but settle for Tongue in all-seam attack - Matt Roller - ESPNcricinfo
 Bazball: a cult of bruised masculinity where you win even if you lose - Barney Ronay - Guardian
Mark Wood and the primal theatre of pure pace - Ben Gardner - Wisden