New Zealand national bowling coach Shane Jurgensen the Ashes will be the biggest test of the ‘Bazball’ methodology so far

New Zealand’s national bowling coach has revealed some of the things Australia should keep in mind ahead of the World Test Championship and the Ashes.

The simplest way to combat “Bazball” in the Ashes is for Australia to simply play to its strengths and stick to its “brand”, New Zealand national bowling coach Shane Jurgensen believes.

Jurgensen, who will oversee a Strike League franchise in the looming Darwin competition later this month, said England’s revolutionary, uber aggressive approach to red ball cricket had influenced other teams to be more positive.

“It’s changed Test cricket,” Jurgensen said.

“It’s been fantastic to watch and it’s very entertaining.

“(But) it’s still important that teams can play to their strengths (against England).

“How can you find a way to play within your strengths but also counter-attack what they’re looking to do?”

England’s national cricket team has gone through a complete transformation through the appointment of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCallum as captain and coach respectively. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images.

He said the time-honoured approach of creating pressure on the opposition was still the best method, while seizing key moments and winning crucial match ups.

“The way that they play can also bring about the downfall of wickets,” he said.

“If you can through those tough periods with bat and ball, opportunities will present themselves.

“It’s just a matter of how you can control the way that they play.”

He said an Ashes series in England was the biggest test of the Bazball methodology so far, with England winning 11 of 13 Tests under coach Brendon McCullum’s tenure, which began in June last year.

New Zealand bowling coach Shane Jurgensen says Australia must stick to its strengths if it is to beat England in the Ashes. Picture: New Zealand Cricket.

Jurgensen, who described himself as a cricketing “traditionalist”, also said emerging all-rounder Cameron Green playing in the IPL before an Ashes series was simply a sign of the times.

“It’s just the nature of cricket now, we all have to adapt … (T20 is) here to stay,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jurgensen also encouraged the Aussies to embrace the “unique” yet “strange” experience of a World Test Championship against India, starting on June 7, predicting an “amazing battle”.

He said New Zealand arrived at the Rose Bowl in Hampshire three weeks before the June, 2021 decider with two Test matches against England in the lead up, which helped its preparation.

Former New Zealand captain and England coach Brendon McCallum was known for his explosive batting at the top of the order. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt.

“It was actually a strange experience,” he said.

“That’s the great challenge…it’s quite a unique experience.

“The best part about conditions in England is you’re always in the game.

“The game can change in two hours.”

He said New Zealand’s championship win two years prior was a ringing endorsement for its brand.

“It highlighted the way that we play our Test cricket actually works,” Jurgensen said.

“It confirmed for us the way that we play is certainly different to a lot of other teams around the world.

“It’s really crucial we play our brand of cricket.”

He said it had given confidence to some players to excel across multiple formats.

The Kiwis were not your traditionally aggressive team, but players expressed it in different ways, Jurgensen believed.

Jurgensen appeals for Queensland against Tasmania at the Gabba in 2006. Picture: Peter Wallis

“There’s certainly aggression there, you just won’t see it outwardly,” he said.

“Some guys do it in subtle ways that you might not see on the TV.

“You might see it done in different ways.

“(There’s) a different version of aggression for each player.”

Meanwhile, Jurgensen said the timing was “basically perfect” to marshall a Strike League (June 25 – July 28) team, with several months off from national duties.

“(It’s) a good opportunity to be a head coach, and work with some young, exciting cricketers,” he said.

“It looks like a really exciting product.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the Northern Territory players,

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for those guys.”