Marnus Labuschagne’s perfect reply as ‘Bazball’ added to Collins dictionary

‘Bazball’ has been added to the Collins Dictionary … and Australian cricketer Marnus Labuschagne is not impressed.

‘Bazball’ is in the dictionary … and Marnus Labuschagne is not impressed.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed that ‘Bazball’, a phrase coined by ESPNcricinfo reporter Andrew Miller last year, would be added to the next print version of the Collins English Dictionary.

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The noun is described in the publication as “a style of Test cricket in which the batting side plays in a highly aggressive manner”.

‘Bazball’ did not win the 2023 Word of the Year despite being short-listed, with that honour going to ‘AI’.

Speaking to reporters in Ahmedabad on Thursday, Australian cricketer Labuschagne was asked for his two cents on the ‘Bazball’ inclusion.

“Oh man that is garbage, seriously,” Labuschagne scoffed.

“I don’t know what that is, honestly.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Somewhat ironically, England Test coach Brendon McCullum isn’t a fan of the ‘Bazball’ moniker either.

“I don‘t have any idea what ‘Bazball’ is,” McCullum said last year.

“I don’t really like that silly term that people are throwing out there.”

'Bazball' in the dictionary? 📖🤔

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— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 1, 2023

Marnus at Aussie training. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Even Brendon McCullum doesn’t like the term. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

England is currently bottom of the World Cup standings after losing five of their six group stage matches, which their chances of semi-final qualification close to zero.

Jos Buttler’s men will next face Australia, who are coming off four consecutive wins, at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 7.30pm AEDT.

“I just really want to beat England,” Labuschagne continued.

“For a high-quality line-up being tenth in the World Cup, yep absolutely, it’s a shock.

“England have just been horribly out of form.

“They’re dangerous. If there’s ever been a team that’s dangerous when they’re down and out, it’s England.

“Hopefully we can just keep playing well … we need to be at our best.”

Originally published as Marnus Labuschagne’s perfect reply as ‘Bazball’ added to Collins dictionary