Matthew Hoggard on England tactics, Ben Stokes comments and pink-ball cricket ahead of Australia Ashes Test

That showdown was a mixed bag. There were encouraging signs with the ball, at least at first, with Australia bowled out for 132 in their first innings.

With the bat, however, England struggled. Having been dismissed for 172, they then fell to 164. Australia, inspired by Travis Head, managed to get the job done with eight wickets remaining.

Since the first Test, England have come in for plenty of criticism. Their 'Bazball' tactics, certainly, have faced scrutiny.

Ben Stokes has fiercely defended their preparations and after the loss against Perth, insisted they wouldn't change their approach. Gung-ho cricket, it seems, is here to stay.

Former England star Hoggard rates the system. He does, however, admit that intelligence is required to implement it properly.

Hoggard, a leading Keynote Speaker, told GB News exclusively: "I think that the positive approach is fantastic. It's won a lot of games of cricket. I think Bazball with a little brain would be very, very dangerous.

"When it comes off and you go in and you start smashing it from ball one, yes, the pressure shifts to the to the opposition bowlers.

"But when you lose four wickets for fairly little runs, you risk putting yourself behind.

"That's the frustrating thing with this team, and as a fan, you're on a rollercoaster that you've got to buy into. There's going to be absolutely extraordinary wins, but we're going to have absolute shockers as well, because we don't play the the sensible game."

Onto Stokes, then.

Before The Ashes started, the England captain raised eyebrows. Having grown fed up from criticism from certain ex-players, he controversially decided to describe them as 'has-beens'.

He has since apologised and insisted he himself will be one in the future. Hoggard was keen to stress that older players know what they're talking about.

"He came out with some big comments about the old 'has-beens,'" he said. "And what would the past cricketers know now that it's a different game?

"But cricket is quite a simple game. It's made complicated by the people that play it. It's a ball coming down at you and defending your stumps.

"You live or die by the sword. It's all well and good giving it large, and I'm okay with him backing his plans and the processes and everything else, but the results will speak for themselves.

"The first Test was a disaster but it could equally could have been a brilliant win. I want to be positive, and I like that we've won a lot of games playing Bazball, but we've also lost a lot of games where you think a little bit more sense would have been beneficial."

Another talking point ahead of the second Test has been the pink-ball format of the game.

Joe Root aired some minor grievances - but was then targeted by the Australian press.

Hoggard likes the format. He has, however, questioned whether it's needed for this series.

"I think that it's great if you're trying to get crowds in and sell a series that might not get the support, and you couldn't go after work and watch with crowds being guaranteed.

"But I don't think it's needed for a series of this magnitude.

"However, again, Test cricket is stuggling. It needs all the help it can get.

"So Australia embracing the pink-ball stuff, it would have been interesting if they'd lost more than the one if they'd want to play England in a series that involves pink-bnall cricket.

"But because they're very successful, and because they can, they are. It's a great innovation for the game, but I don't think you need it for such a big series."