“The crowd on the Western Terrace at Headingley waving their shoes, singing ‘shoes off if you love Ben Stokes’, during Day 4 of the 3rd Ashes Test of 2019 at Headingley, England v Australia” by Ben Sutherland is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Black border added to original image
The English summer of 2024 was set to unveil the new and improved iteration of ‘Bazball’. Even before a ball was bowled, the anticipation of ‘Bazball v2.0’ renewed hope in the hearts of its fans who wondered if this English setup was open to change – but was it a false promise? With 2 years of mistakes and learnings now behind them, a season of tricky winter tours beckons. Yet the big question on the lips of all English fans remains, ‘will this be enough when we reach the shores of the old enemy?’
‘Bazball’ is something English Men’s Test cricket has sorely needed to get the best out of their players, especially the batters.
After years of timid and extremely conservative cricket, the English fans wanted something more. Something that could keep up with the rest of the cricketing world.
They got their response in the form of the buccaneering brand of cricket, ‘Bazball’ (see Part 1).
As time has gone on the big question was not if ‘Bazball’ could continue on this trajectory per se; with its inherent unpredictability it will no doubt claim remarkable victories here and there, as they have already accomplished (see Part 2).
Similarly, given the growing gulf in the volume of Test cricket played between the ‘Big 3’ (Australia, India, and England) and the rest of the cricketing world, England will unquestionably be better positioned to win many games with their brutal new strategy against the less experienced, less Test cricket-hardened nations to maintain a legitimately impressive overall win-loss record.
Rather, the big question is whether the ‘Bazball’ of 2022 to early 2024 (here on referred to as ‘Bazball v1.0’) can work for sustained periods against a red ball and against more-seasoned oppositions, especially away from home.
Does ‘Bazball v1.0’ have it in itself to evolve as the rest of the cricketing world acclimatises to England’s new norm?
Now is the time for a new, shiny, and refined model: ‘Bazball v2.0’.
In this final piece of this 4-part series, I will provide my thoughts on what ‘Bazball’ could consider to improve its longevity within a format of cricket that has never submitted to any single-minded playing style.
Routinely squandering chances to reach 400 batting first will cost ‘Bazball v2.0’ against the best in their backyards
Glimpses of a reimagined ‘Bazball v2.0’ were caught against West Indies and Sri Lanka in the English summer of 2024. Sadly, the ghosts of ‘Bazball v1.0’ past were not far behind either, quickly casting doubt on whether any notion of refinement had been wishful thinking.
The spotlight was inevitably on shot selection – more particularly, its contribution in the failure to breach the 400 barrier as a team when batting first.
Across the 6 Tests, England’s 1st innings scores (from highest to lowest) were 427, 416, 376, 371, 358, and 325.
Is the thought process behind shot selection in ‘Bazball v2.0’ still driven by a will to ‘entertain’, or a will to win?
The 1st innings of a batting effort is the most important time to bat. You can often go a long way to winning a game from a solid batting effort first up.
Equally, you can lose a game very easily with an abysmal effort.
Time and time again, we saw ill-timed sweeps, pulls, and swats from set batters – some of whom are now ‘established’ players – leading to tame dismissals. This is something stronger adversaries will simply not let pass by.
Though not always bona fide collapses, the fall of wickets in clusters characterised by indifferent, frenetic strokeplay from settled batters throughout the summer saw England fall short of the 400 mark batting first more than once, and emphatically so on 2 occasions during the Sri Lanka series – first at Manchester and then at the Oval.
Add into the mix hasty (or aggressive) declarations like at Wellington or Edgbaston, the team’s affinity towards living on the edge was leaving much to be desired for a lot of fans.
Batting efforts like this always leave the door ajar for the opponents to claw their way back in. This becomes more problematic given the reduced number of overs ‘Bazball’ uses to put on these sub-400 totals, permitting their rivals extra time to play their way.
Occasionally, ‘Bazball’ has totally imploded in their 2nd innings too. Grasping defeat from the jaws of victory takes some doing, but ‘Bazball’ managed it during the final chapter of their 2024 home Test summer.
The 2nd innings at the Oval – summed up by some ghastly shot making – had a whiff of ‘Bazball’ almost enjoying itself a little too much. Being bowled out for 156 in 34 overs to firmly make Sri Lanka favourites, out of the blue, was indisputable proof of this.
Agreed, it is impressive to see batters score at 5 an over, and it is a skill in and of itself. But is it something that will reliably put them in pole position against the best, time after time, if their final scores are ‘subpar’?
I would posit this attitude is once again symptomatic of that self-indulgence and arrogance ‘Bazball’ has been linked to by those outside its orbit (see Part 3)?
At the outset of this red-ball reset, it was clear ‘Bazball’ wanted to ‘entertain’. Ironically, one only has to look at the chatter on social media to gauge the growing discontent even supporters of the team now have given bigger challenges lie ahead.
If their supporters slowly begin to feel lukewarm about ‘Bazball’ as a product, who exactly will ‘Bazball’ now be ‘entertaining’?
‘Bazball v2.0’ cannot lose sight of the bigger fish in the bigger picture by ‘living life in the fast lane’
Following some of the batting displays and dismissals against Sri Lanka, ex-England captains Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook were quick to express their disapproval, with the former questioning whether England would be as cavalier against India and Australia.
Vaughan also opined England were “cocky” and “disrespected Test Cricket and Sri Lanka.”
Teams have slowly started to play on the ego of this England team – albeit often too late in the series.
Sri Lankan coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, stated (referring to Harry Brook): “You can’t be in top gear all the time when you play this type of cricket. Play your natural game but take as little risks as you can, when there’s a packed field on the offside or legside, you need to fight it hard.”
Brook’s dismissal for 19 off 39 balls at the Oval in the 1st innings, accompanied by his visible agitation towards the visitor’s tactics to keep the ball away from his hitting zones, aptly illustrated the learning curve opposition teams were going up against ‘Bazball’.
For England, it is in these situations a batter (or a batting unit) needs a Plan B to allow them to, later, go back to their preferred Plan A when the odds favour them once more.
Opposition teams strong enough to stick to ‘boring’ Test match tactical ploys to take advantage of the hubris of ‘Bazball’ have already been a thorn in England’s side – namely Australia in the 2023 Ashes and India in early 2024.
I have no doubt this will continue to be the case moving forward, but opposition teams need to wise up to this fact early on in a series rather than in a dead rubber.
To be clear, nothing proved series-defining against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, who themselves failed to capitalise on a number of key moments. And the long and short of it? England won 5 out of their 6 Tests this summer.
But with an eye on tougher challenges, or away from home, this disconcerting pattern of ‘living life in the fast lane’ needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. Brief 30s, pretty 40s, and ‘pleasing on the eye’ 50s from your openers and middle-order will not cut it against the stronger, more experienced, and more uncompromising teams.
Come next summer against India, and of course the Ashes Down Under, the punishment for wasted chances and ‘runs we left out there’ will be harsher (as they should remember from the first half of the 2023 Ashes series and the 2024 tour to India).
Joe Root (pictured here batting in a Test against South Africa at the Wanderers in 2016) holds the key for England’s batting unit in the ‘Bazball v2.0’ era
“12 07 Joe Root” by ForwardDefensive is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. Black border added to original image
England’s ‘Bazball v2.0’ batsmanship should be built around a ‘non-Bazball’ Joe Root
A lot has revolved around Joe Root in the England Test team. I would argue that even more now rests on his shoulders in the ‘Bazball’ era.
After the aberration during the 3rd Test in Rajkot (see Part 3), there has been a very noticeable shift in how Root has gone about constructing his innings. In many ways, he has looked to revert back to the Joe Root of 2021.
This was the quiet yet swift accumulator who got to 20, 30, and 40 before you knew it, and then kicked on to score big 100s, all at a strike rate of around 55-60.
What should Joe Root’s batting tempo be?
Yes, Root’s numbers on paper have been incredible in the ‘Bazball’ era.
In 2023, Root averaged 65.58 at a strike rate of 76.33. So it has, at times, been a paradox as to why ‘Bazball’ Root has been perceived by some (including myself) as both incredible but also frustrating compared with ‘pre-Bazball’ Root.
Perhaps it is to do with how Root has batted when the chips have been down in the ‘Bazball’ era.
One of Root’s greatest strengths has been his ability to thrive in the toughest of situations when others have faltered, while still maintaining a healthy strike rate.
So to see Root gift his wicket away with expansive and previously uncharacteristic strokeplay, as was done at Rajkot, has left fans of him and the team understandably exasperated.
But as mentioned previously, Root has toned down the ‘Bazball-ness’ in 2024 post-India.
At the time of writing this, Root’s strike rate in 2024 (58.88) is close to what it was in 2021 (56.85), a year in which he amassed 1708 runs for the calendar year (the third highest run aggregate ever) and was at his absolute best.
This is a huge relief.
When a storm begins to brew, Root is still the main man with the temperament to help England reach calmer waters
Why is Joe Root’s approach in particular such a big deal?
When ‘Bazball’ is ‘on’, any of England’s current batters can cash in and play mind-boggling innings, including Root. But when things get tough, there is no one in this England team that can consistently handle the heat quite like Root can when he is simply himself – as was showcased in the last innings of the 1st Test and both innings of the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka.
Root remaining loyal to his old methods will be the best thing for England, regardless of what happens around him and the lures of ‘Bazball v2.0’.
I personally believe this clarity of role will give England the best chance of winning from more situations more often, and in the toughest of conditions away from home.
Futhermore, I believe it will also get the best out of Root himself.
Figure 1. Four successful Test teams from the 21st century, each with a unique attribute, ‘Bazball v2.0’ could look to for inspiration
‘Bazball v2.0’ will undoubtedly continue with the DNA of its previous incarnation, but it should not be afraid to look back at the format’s most successful teams for inspiration – even in the modern era
As discussed in Part 2, Test cricket is still a format that accommodates all styles and flavours of player.
Some of Test cricket’s greatest teams promoted ‘front-foot’ play with the understanding that, at times, this needed to be curtailed to suit the situation.
I sadly was not around when the great West Indies sides of the 1970s and 1980s played, so I cannot comment too much on those teams.
But among teams I was able to watch myself, 4 of Test cricket’s most successful sides from the 21st century come to mind as examples any current team could look to for inspiration (Figure 1).
Each of these teams had a unique attribute that kept them ahead of the pack during their peaks (however long they were) – attributes the current England team could contemplate adopting or adapting to take them to the next level.
Clarity of role: Steve Waugh’s and Ricky Ponting’s Australian teams
First is the Australian dynasty spearheaded by Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.
Strongest between 1999 and 2007, they laid down the blueprint for how aggressive, but also consistently successful, Test cricket could be played in the 21st century.
Yes, they were blessed with match winners from 1 to 11. Yes, an unfairly high number of the game’s all-time legends shared the same dressing room in this team.
But personnel aside, it was their hard-nosed and uncompromising way of thinking and playing that saw them scale Test cricket’s greatest heights.
Waugh’s ‘win first, draw none’ mentality is not too dissimilar to what Stokes preaches for his England team. And the intent to call the tune of the games they were a part of is also something ‘Bazball v1.0’ looked to bring to the forefront with its unspoken ‘dominate from ball 1’ motto.
The role of each batter was apparent to one another, and to the spectators
In the case of Waugh’s and Ponting’s band of fabled cricketers, they were able to adjust if the going got tough…on those rare occasions.
Players like Justin Langer, Waugh himself, Damien Martyn, and Michael Clarke, always maintained a sense of equilibrium and stability when the situation demanded it.
What did this mean for the team?
Well, dashers and counterattackers like Michael Slater, Matthew Hayden, Mark Waugh, Ponting, Andrew Symonds, and Adam Gilchrist could plunder and pillage tiring bowlers to their heart’s content – if the situation allowed for it – knowing there was some semblance of stability at the other end.
By finding this harmony through clearly defined job specifications and an understanding of one another’s roles, this Australian batting unit simultaneously damaged the opposition and advanced the game in a risk-free manner.
Knowing when to attack, and who to use when looking to attack, could hugely benefit the success rate and batting outputs of ‘Bazball v2.0’.
For England, the roles of Pope, Stokes, and Root still remain unclear
Fans of ‘Bazball’ have seen players like Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes, and especially Joe Root, bat at awkward tempos at various times.
Pope has been described as ‘frenetic’, looking busy and hurried at the start. Yet, the times he has allowed himself to settle, he has gone on to make big 100s.
Stokes has found himself stuck between a rock and a hard place when trying to establish a tempo that coalesces with the ‘Bazball’ way of playing, ranging from dropping anchor and playing from the crease, to charging down the wicket at the first opportunity.
Finally, there is Root, who has excelled playing both his way and the ‘Bazball’ way. Nonetheless, this has not stopped a division among fans regarding what his ideal approach should be; something just seems amiss with ‘Bazball’ Root, which I will touch on later in this article.
The batting order need not all drop anchor, nor do they all need to go full ‘Bazball’. But clear roles for Pope, Stokes, and Root, I feel, will complement the team’s natural ‘Bazball’ dashers in Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Harry Brook, and now young Jamie Smith.
The role of Ollie Pope (pictured here batting for Surrey in a County Championship match in 2019) in the ‘Bazball’ era remains a question mark: should he play attacking from the get-go, or should be follow in the footsteps of Joe Root?
“Ollie Pope” by Kroome111 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Black border added to original image
Adaptability to keep a series alive: Graeme Smith’s South African team
Second is Graeme Smith’s South Africa, who dominated Test cricket between 2007 and 2014.
During this time they played 12 away series, losing none. Smith’s men:
- Won 8 (including series in Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh, the West Indies, and 2 series in both Australia [2008/09 and 2012/13] and England [2008 and 2012])
- Drew 4 (including 2 series in India [2008 and 2010], a feat of its own)
These are outstanding numbers and an enviable set of returns at a time where away wins were scarce. In simple terms, they conquered the cricketing world in a way no other team at that time could.
How did South Africa’s golden generation achieve such understated supremacy in Tests?
Superficially, it is difficult to answer to this question.
I mean, this was a side with an opening batter whose bottom hand-dominant grip restricted his shot scoring and control through the off side. It was a side that boasted the holder of the quickest 50, 100, and 150 in One Day Internationals (ODI); how could someone like this possibly excel in Test cricket all over the world where temperament is a must?
And most surprisingly, this was a team that did not really have an ever-present, frontline, and reliable spinner to turn to.
In short, Smith’s team epitomised the importance of adaptability, doggedness, and infinite powers of resilience to the elements and circumstance.
Batters like Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, and AB de Villiers, transformed themselves to become batters that had a game for all pitches, no matter the bowler.
And the bowlers, namely the big 3 – Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, and Morne Morkel – became masters at hunting as a pack to make up for any individual skill-based drawbacks.
Admittedly, their style of Test cricket was much more regimented compared with ‘Bazball’. But for all the naysayers of this team and their ‘boring’ vintage, Smith’s boys knew how to get the job done – everywhere.
Attacking to win can remain ‘Bazball v2.0’s’ Plan A, B, and C, but it should not rule out the idea of a draw if it keeps a series alive
Test teams are usually judged by series wins, not just individual Test wins (no matter how remarkable they may be).
At least, the greatest teams have been judged this way.
‘Bazball’ has made it very clear that draws are a no go. But in the toughest series with it all on the line, a one-off draw may not be the worst thing if it keeps the chances of a series win alive in the next game.
With Smith’s team, the best example of this was their 2012/2013 tour of Australia.
Following a tame draw in a bat-a-thon at the Gabba in the 1st Test, the sides met at Adelaide. Australia were all over South Africa for 4 days, as South Africa finished Day 4 on 77-4 with AB de Villiers and debutant, Faf du Plessis, at the crease.
The target was 430, and the win was out of the question.
On Day 5, AB de Villiers, the man with the fastest 50, 100, and 150 in ODI cricket, put on one of the greatest displays of adaptability and situational awareness in Test history, facing 220 balls for just 33 runs.
At the other end, du Plessis would make 111* in what would end up being a match-saving innings. Kallis too would see out 110 balls to score a meagre 46 runs.
Salvaging a draw at Adelaide, South Africa went on to put in there best display of the tour at Perth as they secured a Test win, but more importantly, a series win.
This South African team remained so successful for a prolonged period because they were willing to do what was needed to win (or at least compete) abroad, even if at times it was not so ‘entertaining’ – something ‘Bazball v2.0’ can incorporate.
Blend and balance: Sir Andrew Strauss’ and Sir Alastair Cook’s England teams
If ‘Bazball’ does not wish to venture too far from home then Sir Andrew Strauss’ and Sir Alastair Cook’s England teams (2009-2013) may be the best example to look at.
Aside from being one of their direct predecessors which allows for some relatability, this team struck the perfect balance of the attacking and the conservative that helped them blossom.
It was no surprise they reached the top of the International Cricket Council rankings for the first time in 2011 on the back of this attribute.
The crowning achievements of this era were the series wins in Australia (2010/2011) and India (2012/2013) – both of which have never seemed further away from an England Men’s Test team at this point in time.
Combining the batting styles of the traditional and the modern
Stokes’ team on paper has a balance that is analogous to the teams of Strauss and Cook.
What made Strauss’ team so potent from a batting perspective was the blend of traditionally English-style play (eg, the powers of concentration and resolute defence of Cook, Paul Collingwood, and Jonathan Trott) with a flamboyance and fearlessness historically seen from non-English teams (eg, the aggression of Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior).
In the current English team, naturally attacking players in Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, and Jamie Smith complement more traditional batters such as Joe Root, Ollie Pope, and Ben Stokes (though Pope and Stokes are capable of breaking the shackles when the going is good).
Somewhere within all this lies a recipe for success for ‘Bazball v2.0’.
Kevin Pietersen, one of England’s greatest Test batters, brought an innovation and attacking flair not previously seen in English Test cricket
“Kevin Pietersen” by Fishyone1 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Black border added to original image
Assembling a bowling arsenal with points of difference
A similar pattern can be seen with the bowlers.
Anderson, Broad, and Bresnan were ‘classically English’ in their skill sets during their time under Strauss and Cook: swing, nibble, and accuracy.
But when Chris Tremlett (extreme height) and Steven Finn (genuine pace) featured consistently, the bowling arsenal had legitimate points of difference that was rare for an England attack.
The final piece of the puzzle was Graeme Swann – a genuinely attacking finger spinner who was used as such by the captain. Moreover, Swann took it upon himself to think and perform like a match winner on par with some of the game’s greatest.
Looking at the bowlers Stokes has available to him, the attack has the makings of a similarly varied attack.
Wood has out and out, 95mph-level pace. Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson are ‘close to the stumps’ line bowlers with 88-90mph pace (and maybe more on a good day).
And now there is young Josh Hull who, like Tremlett before him, has been given the gift of height (6ft 7in), as well as being a left armer.
So there is plenty to work with in theory.
With regards to Shoaib Bashir, in his short career so far he has displayed more control with this line, length, and accuracy, than his recent competitors. Facilitated by tactical field placements by Stokes, there is scope for Bashir to have a clearly defined, wicket-taking role.
Adopting elements of the DNA that made Strauss’ and Cook’s teams so successful may be a worthwhile exercise for the new regime, and it could help steer ‘Bazball v2.0’ into more fruitful territory as a whole.
Tenacity: Virat Kohli’s Indian team
Finally, the most recent Test team which has seen remarkable success is Virat Kohli’s Team India.
With 40 wins from 68 matches under Kohli’s leadership, this has undeniably been India’s most prolific period in their Test history to-date.
A fundamental shift in attitude was the bedrock of India’s success under Kohli, especially away from home
The essence of this Indian team was simple: never give up, galvanise through self-belief and belief in one another, and give back as good as you get.
For a team hailing from the subcontinent, this shift in mindset was monumental and, in many ways, groundbreaking. And the rewards it reaped were there for all to see:
- Back-to-back series wins in Australia in 2018/19 and 2020/21
- A rare series lead of 2-1 on the 2021 tour of England going into the last Test
- Finalists at the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) in 2021
Of course there are some fundamental differences in how India and England play Test cricket given the native conditions players are brought up in. In this way, the precise style of play may not be translatable or imitable.
But in terms of mindset and a will to remain resolute at crucial times, this Indian side showed what can be done even in the most dire circumstances – something that was beautifully seen on the 2020/21 tour of Australia.
When the will is strong enough, a team can trump all adversity even in the toughest, most hostile series
Coming off a soul-destroying defeat in the opening Test where they were bowled out for 36, India stared down the proverbial barrel.
Throw in the departure of their pillar and talisman, Kohli, and a wave of injuries that spread like wildfire as the series progressed, India had no right to even compete against a full-strength Australian side, let alone win. That too in the Australians’ backyard.
Yet, somehow, the team – whatever was left of it – rallied together and stood firm.
India showed that even without your blockbuster names, a slew of fresh-faced youngsters – not a far cry from the current ‘Bazball’ establishment – can stand up and be counted if the will is strong enough.
From the ‘bounceback’ at Melbourne, to the resilience at Sydney, and the finale at Brisbane, India’s tenacity saw them through when there was no cricketing logic to suggest India could keep close to Australia.
But they found a way.
If ‘Bazball v2.0’ can take anything away from this, it is that even with one hand (and at times both hands) tied behind your back, even with insurmountable odds stacked against you away from the comforts of home, the gold at the end of the rainbow can be obtained if you refuse to give up.
“Ashes Urn” by danielgreef/Dan is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Looking ahead to the 2025/26 Ashes: does ‘Bazball’ stand a chance in Australia?
In writing a piece about English Test cricket I would be remiss if I did not cast an eye forward to what is undoubtedly the most anticipated series in the eyes of most England fans – The Ashes.
While I am of the opinion that all series and countries deserve the same level of respect and preparation, I can acknowledge the appeal of the Ashes given its history. Additionally, I am perhaps one of the minority who feels that by becoming a well-rounded team in general, and not being hyper-focused on the Ashes – a series that comes around once every 2 years or so – victories in Australia will also take care of themselves.
Just look at what Graeme Smith and Virat Kohli accomplished with their teams.
But for the purposes of this piece, I will cast an eye forward to the upcoming Ashes tour.
One thing is for sure. Pat Cummins’ Australia will be an entirely different beast in home conditions to what fronted up in England in 2023, with bigger grounds, faster and more variable wickets, and home support helping their cause.
Ben Stokes and his England team will have to be flawless (maybe even better than flawless) – mentally, physically, and strategically – to entertain the idea of winning the Ashes.
The batters have to be clinical from the outset to not fall behind Down Under
England’s failures in their pursuit of the unadulterated essence of ‘Bazball’, without the finesse, has come under extreme scrutiny at different times.
Stokes and McCullum have the opportunity to bring a collective and coordinated style of play to Australian shores that has not been presented there in recent memory.
The pitch conditions in Australia will favour England’s new style of play more than India did, with greater pace and bounce on offer.
However, unless they get big, big runs on the board – the biggest source of woe for England in 2013/14, 2017/18, and 2021/22 – it is going to be tough for Stokes’ captaincy in the field alone to win a series in Australia.
They also need to score whatever big runs they do when it matters and when the series is still alive, and not in a dead rubber.
With what we saw in the English summer against Sri Lanka, I struggle to see ‘Bazball’ genuinely competing in Australia unless there is heightened situational awareness in the batting, something that, if lacking, can easily be amplified over the course of a 5-Test series in foreign conditions.
And not that it needs saying, but it cannot all be down to Joe Root.
Points of difference in the bowling can keep England competitive
Ahead of the English summer of 2024, the managing director of cricket, Rob Key, issued a simple plea for all county seamers. He wanted pace.
Key’s exact words were, “I don’t care how many wickets you take. I want to know how hard you are running in, how hard you are hitting the pitch and are you able to sustain pace at 85-88mph.”
A varied bowling attack will certainly help their cause, just as it helped Strauss’ team in 2010/11. On paper and in prospect, Stokes could have at his command a unit comprising Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Olly Stone, Josh Hull, and Shoaib Bashir.
Not to mention back-up options like Chris Woakes (if they take him on tour), Josh Tongue, Matt Potts, and even Saqib Mahmood.
The big elephant in room, however, is fitness. A lot of these names have a history with long-term injuries, some of whom have played very little Test cricket in the last 2 years.
An unforgiving, 5-Test series on Australian pitches will not be as easy as it has been for them during the English summers.
Concluding remarks
So, what are my final thoughts on ‘Bazball’?
The team’s newfound philosophy clearly has the propensity to propel England to dizzying heights, both good and bad. Indescribable peaks matched by moments of calamity.
For every Hyderabad Test in India in 2024 comes a Lord’s Test in the 2023 Ashes series.
On flat decks, ‘Bazball v1.0’ worked a charm. Opposition captains and bowlers struggled to stay in the game when England piled on runs at eye-watering speed.
And when Stokes’ tactical brain came into the mix in the field, that was the cherry on top.
But England’s greatest examinations will come when they are presented with conditions offering more for both seam and spin bowlers.
The fortunes of ‘Bazball’ hinge on its self-control
If ‘Bazball’ as a brand of cricket is to ally the visionary goals of Ben, ‘Baz’, and ‘Bob’ Key with positive results, and be fully realised, England need to revisit their current blueprint.
Admission of this is not an acceptance of failure in their method. Instead, I would argue it is a valuable opportunity for a good team, presently capable of awe-inspiring moments, to evolve and become an undeniable force in more conditions.
‘Bazball v1.0’ was large on excitement, aggression, and bombast. However, it lacked two key hallmarks of a truly great Test outfit: adaptability and situational awareness.
To be a well-rounded team, irrespective of the philosophy and mantra that has been adopted for this new era, the ‘Bazball v1.0’ batsmanship cannot continue on this merry path of pseudo-T20 play in the name of ‘entertainment’.
Backup strategies must stop being an afterthought. They have to come into consideration to navigate the harsh waters when the opposition bowlers are on top or the conditions are against them.
Without this refinement, I strongly feel the ‘Bazball’ era will lead to a legacy of lost chances and ‘what ifs’.
Through Ben Stokes’ captaincy and leadership, ‘Bazball v1.0’ incorporated tactical nous in spades when in the field. Yet, repeated and predictable deficiencies with the bat – perhaps due to technical limitations, perhaps due to a stubbornness to uphold the tenets of ‘Bazball’ – have routinely resulted in the team losing key moments, and even key matches, from positions of strength.
Now, it must be reiterated. This team has won a lot of their games, especially at home. But when they have lost as they unabashedly swing the willow in a blaze of glory, the fans have always been left with a sense of déjà vu.
As of right now, England sits 6th in the WTC table for the 2023-2025 cycle, with an outside shot of making the final in 2025 (Figure 2).
Figure 2. World Test Championship standings for the 2023-2025 cycle as of 10 September 2024
Credit to ESPN Cricinfo for the latest data on the WTC standings for 2023-2025
Where does ‘Bazball’ go from here?
Stokes’ team sits on a precipice.
On one side, there is a path that sees them conquer age-old demons of touring heartbreak and creating a true, definitive legacy as a direct result of a brutal, but clinical, brand of cricket that went against all traditions and norms.
But on the other, there is a world where this era is remembered by a final tally any good Test team can muster – some wins and some losses (just with more excitement).
In parallel to the ‘Bazball’ journey is the story of the other nations, who continue to evolve to meet the threats England pose.
Something that was once a shock is becoming an entity other teams can now plan for and, in some cases, wait on to falter by itself.
As with any trendsetters, with time, the competition will rise to close the gap before a new trend is set. Only time will tell us what the final destination of ‘Bazball’ will be.
Figure icon attributions:
Figure 1
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Figure 2
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DISCLAIMER
The posts published on this blog are intended simply to provide some food for thought for fellow cricket fans across the world. This is a place which respects and enjoys all cricketers from all nations and, as such, does NOT aim to solely vilify any specific person or team.
Differing opinions and lively debates are more than welcome. However, personal attacks and abuse of any kind will NOT be tolerated here.
Thanks for your understanding.
Great insight into the sport in the UK
Thank you, Jeff. Really appreciate the comment, and glad you enjoyed my take on things.
Learned something completely new to me from this. Thanks!
Haha, great to hear. Glad you enjoyed the read, Kate.
A good read
Thank you, Sharone.
Well written analysis. Root should be the opposite of a “pinch-hitter” in white ball cricket…a “slow accumulator” so to speak!
I do think Root’s natural approach to cricket in either format is usually best for the team…changing him too much is a misuse of what he brings to a side in my opinion.
An in-depth overview of bazball in the competitive world of cricket. Don’t know much about this sport but your passion really shines through your writing!
Haha, I really appreciate your comment. Cricket has always been my number 1 thing, so I am glad my passion is coming through.