Justin Langer pays Ben Stokes and England the ultimate compliment after dominant Ashes performance at Old Trafford

Justin Langer has hailed England’s ultra-attacking Bazball approach and admitted Australia can count themselves lucky to have escaped Old Trafford with a draw on Sunday.

The tourists retained the urn after the fourth Test in Manchester ended in a rain-affected draw on Sunday and now Pat Cummins can become the first Australian captain to win the Ashes in England since 2001.

Until the rain intervened, England were in the box seat to level the series and set up a mouthwatering decider at the Oval.

Inspired by Zak Crawley’s 189 and Jonny Bairstow 99 not out, the hosts racked up 592 runs at almost five-and-a-half runs per over against an Australian attack that looked to be running low on energy and ideas.

And, writing in his column for Britain’s Daily Telegraph, Langer admitted he was now a fully-fledged Bazball convert following the display at Old Trafford.

Justin Langer admitted he finally gets why England adopt an ultra-attacking approach

The former Australia coach (right) said he finally appreciated the ultra-attacking style championed by England boss Brendon McCullum

‘I get it now, this Bazball thing. We had heard about it, even been threatened by it. 

‘Now we have seen in with our own eyes and I have to say it was spectacular to watch […] 

‘It was absolutely breath-taking to watch, and proved to me that this style of play could work against the best bowling attack in the world.’

The former Australia coach said he wasn’t won over by England’s approach in the first two Tests, which the hosts lost narrowly at Edgbaston and Lord’s, but in Manchester ‘I finally understood what they were doing and why they were doing it.’

Langer’s comments came after Glenn McGrath urged Australia to take a leaf out of England’s book and be more aggressive in a bid to win the Ashes at The Oval.

‘I hope Australia take something from the best of England’s style when they turn up in south London and analyse what happened this week,’ the Aussie great wrote in his BBC column on Monday. 

‘I would like to see them [Australia] be more aggressive. Play with freedom and take to the field without fear.

‘I would rather see Australia lose the last Test by backing themselves, really taking it to England, rather than going down with a whimper.’ 

Zak Crawley smashed a stunning 189 as England piled on the runs in the first innings at Old Trafford in the fourth Test, which ultimately ended in a rain-affected draw

Jonny Bairstow added a superb 99 not out as England made 592 in their first digs 

Langer also joined Ricky Ponting in defending Pat Cummins after the Aussie skipper was heavily criticsed for his performance in Manchester.

Cummins was carted around the park for career-worst figures of 1-for-129 as England piled on 592 runs in their first innings and looked jaded and out of ideas before the rain came to his rescue.

Langer, however, noted that while Cummins struggled at Old Trafford, he was played a crucial role in Australia taking an ultimately crucial 2-0 lead in the series. 

‘It should also be noted that while Australia looked like they had no answers at Old Trafford, Pat Cummins did play a big part in those early wins, leading well through his actions with both bat and ball,’ he wrote.

‘Overall, though, the Australian captain will be feeling very relieved, knowing that they are fortunate to be going to the Oval having already secured the urn.’

Langer defended Pat Cummins (left) after he came under criticism at Old Trafford

Speaking on the ICC Review podcast, Ponting struck a similar note.

‘I think Pat’s done a terrific job […] for a couple of hours on Day Two [at Old Trafford], things looked like they were getting out of control,’ he said. 

‘But the captain can’t be expected to have the exact right answer 100 per cent of the time.

‘I don’t think it’s got the better of Pat – in fact, for Australia to be 2-1 up where they are right now you’d have to say that Pat’s done a terrific job.’