Bazball and the Change it Brought to Test Cricket

When Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes combined to bring English Test Cricket back, they were pretty optimistic of what is now called Bazball. The upbringing of the term and the style of play though remains incredible an year later considering how well it has worked against some of the best bowling attacks going around. Where did it start though? While the McCullum and Stokes pair did get the mindset right, Jonny Bairstow in all likelihood is where it started with the way he batted through the last English summer.

In the first Test of the new regime though with 299 needed in 50 overs, England started something special. In a situation where most sides would play for the draw, England went for it. Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root had a massive partnership with both getting big centuries, and Ben Stokes made things easier with a quick cameo in the end as England got an unlikely win to get into their groove with ten wins in twelve Tests.

The aggression continued beyond the New Zealand attack. A couple weeks later, against the Indian Team, the same aggression came in as England made light work of a target well past 350. The approach worked overseas with England winning 3-0 in Pakistan as they played with some extraordinary run-rates making the Pakistan bowlers look like club bowlers in their own backyards.

Ben Stokes taking the captaincy is one of the starting points of this change. Under Joe Root, England only managed one win in their last 17 Tests. With Stokes, their was a massive reboot as he made fourth innings chases, something seen as the most trickiest parts of the game, look easy. He was willing to chase, and his team walked the talk as they went through the English summer chasing down totals which often leave sides batting first pretty happy and relaxed.

They played around with their batting line-up, moving Ollie Pope to three and also gave Stuart Broad a funny little role with the bat. Rather than having batters take their time towards their end of the day in a bid of survival, England has started using Stuart Broad, allowing him to go out and have a nice slog towards the end of the day in the Bazball era.

Through the last English summer they lost only one Test. That Test was played on Green surface which had the South African pacers making the English batters get their dancing shoes on. They lost by an innings as they only managed 165 and 149, questioning the longevity of Bazball. The next two Tests though had England continue to back themselves as they went on to comeback and win the series.

Would Bazball work overseas, particularly in the subcontinent. Although the pitches are not as challenging as they could be in India or even Sri Lanka, Pakistan does pose a challenge with the heat and turn that could occur through the Test. England though scored at more than run-a-ball in each innings, giving them time to force results even after Pakistan managed to get to substantial scores themselves.

The same question came up in New Zealand, against one of the strongest sides at home. Two Tests in, both sides finish 1-1, as the second Test, which saw England continue about their aggressive ways, go on to become one of the greatest Tests ever as New Zealand won by one run. England’s aggression though has not been limited to the bat alone. With the ball too wickets have been the key as England have gone 12 games taking all the wickets available.

With the way they have gone about their work, the question of changing Test Cricket looks rather answered. Under the Bazball regime, England have pushed the run-rates up while the bowlers too have prospered with better strike-rates as they bowl their wicket-taking lines without the fear of having to worry about their economy rates.

Challenges though never stop. England have conquered New Zealand, India and South Africa at home. All three have some really good pacers, who could make the ball talk a lot in English conditions. They now have Australia coming up. The trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins remains one of the most intimidating set of bowlers going around. On English conditions as well the trio, Hazlewood in particular can be a handful. Pat Cummins remains a massive threat with his record against Joe Root, and Mitchell Starc loves batters going after him.

Add Nathan Lyon to the attack, who relies on accuracy and the attack looks as complete as ever. With one of the best bowling attacks in the world, if not the best coming, the clash between a powerhouse with the bat and some really good bowlers will be one to watch. England completely crumbled in the last Ashes, and now they are looking to win back the urn for the first time since 2015. With a few more weeks to go it will be interesting to see what Bazball can do against the Australian attack, and what the bowlers can do against Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.