England has adopted an exciting and result-oriented approach to test cricket, known as “Bazball,” will face a stern test when they travel to India in 2024 for a five-match test series.
Former English cricketer and commentator Nasser Hussain believes that the team’s aggressive style of play, forged under coach Brendon “Baz” McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, will be put to the test in the spin-friendly conditions of India.
Under McCullum and Stokes, England showcased their never-say-die attitude and thrilled fans with their comeback in the 2023 Ashes series against Australia. Despite trailing 2-0, they managed to level the series 2-2 against all the odds. However, the challenge that awaits them in India is of a different nature, as they lost 3-1 on their last tour in 2021 under Joe Root’s captaincy despite winning the first test match.
Speaking on the latest episode of ICC Review podcast, Chennai-born Hussain acknowledged the difficulty of playing in India, stating:
“India in India is one of the sternest challenges in test match cricket.”
India has not hesitated to exploit their home advantage in recent years, preparing turning pitches and unleashing their skillful spinners to trouble visiting batsmen.
Hussain referred to the upcoming series as “Bazball against spin,” anticipating a fascinating battle between England’s aggressive approach and India’s spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. England will need to find a way to counter India’s spinners and adjust their tactics accordingly.
One player who has epitomized England’s swashbuckling batting is opener Zak Crawley. He sees the series in India as an “amazing opportunity” to test their philosophy. Despite not having much knowledge about the Indian grounds, Crawley remains optimistic, stating:
“If it’s spinning, I feel like we play spin really well as well. We’ll just have to adapt, see what we get.”
The first test of the series is scheduled to begin in Hyderabad on January 29, with Vizag, Ranchi, Rajkot, and Dharamsala hosting the other matches. England will need to find a balance between their aggressive intent and the demands of the subcontinent conditions to succeed against a strong Indian team in their own backyard.
The series promises to be an intriguing battle between two contrasting styles of play, providing fans with plenty of excitement and anticipation. The “Bazball” approach from England has entertained audiences, but it will faces a significant challenge against spin friendly conditions in India in 2024.
