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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone tipped to be part of England's 'Bazball' revolution

New England Test coach Brendon McCullum has made an immediate impact since replacing former coach Chris Silverwood.

Having taken over a side that had one just one last 17 Test matches, McCullum has encouraged England to play positively and with more freedom. McCullum's philosophy has become known as 'Bazball' and already resulted in a stunning series victory over New Zealand.

Jonny Bairstow has scored back-to-back centuries from fewer than 100 balls, with England completing two brilliant successful fourth innings chases at Lord's and Trent Bridge. And England all-rounder Moeen Ali believes white ball superstars Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone would "thrive" in the new setup.

Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, Moeen said: "Jos has played quite a bit already, he's got a couple of really good hundreds in Test cricket and he does have the technique and the mindset to be a good Test player.

"Livingstone obviously hasn't played [Test cricket before], but I do believe that he's actually got a very good technique when it comes to batting. He's obviously got a super hitting technique, but generally his technique is still good.

"He's played a lot of first-class cricket and I know he's got some hundreds, so he does have that experience behind him. I think when we're going to Pakistan he'll be a great shout because he would fit into this environment.

"Looking from afar when you're watching this brand of Test cricket we're playing at the minute, he's somebody who could potentially thrive off that." Moeen has also revealed he would like to be involved in the 'Bazball' revolution, having officially reversed his retirement from Test cricket after holding talks with McCullum.

"The door is always open, and yeah, I suppose I am officially unretired," Moeen said. "He [McCullum] is a very difficult person to say no to. I find that very, very hard.

"He is very convincing and to be honest I would love to play under him and Ben Stokes. They are both very aggressive and I think I would suit their cricket a bit more."

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