What Is Bazball in Cricket?
‘Bazball’ is a term coined regarding England’s aggressive positive approach in Test cricket. The word ‘Bazball’ was first used by ESPN Cricinfo UK editor Andrew Miller in the podcast named ‘Switch Hit’.
England’s disappointing performance for two consecutive years in Test cricket under the leadership of Joe Root led to a change in captaincy and coaching style.
English cricket managing director Rob Key brought in Brendon McCullum as England’s new Test captain. All-rounder Ben Stokes was appointed as the new captain of the England Test team.
The Aggressive Combination ‘Bazball’
The new captain-coach duo brought a change in the approach and it saw a drastic change in results. Former opener, Brendon McCullum was known for his aggressive stroke-play during his playing days. He also changed the mindset of being an underdog when he took over as New Zealand captain.
McCullum didn’t discount his aggressive approach when took on as the new coach of the England Test team. With him and Ben Stokes at the helm of affairs, England donned the attacking style of play and the rest was history.
England went on to win six out of seven Tests that summer, their second-most in a single season anywhere in the world. England scored runs at a rate of 4.65 per over with a clear-cut agenda to not allow the Test match to end in a draw.
With good results coming their way, the term ‘Bazball’ took off in social media and it started grabbing a lot of headlines.
Cricket writer Chris Stocks talked in detail about the term, while identifying even principles that define Bazball.
Here’s a look at them
- A less reflective environment
- No negative chat
- A win-at-all-costs mentality
- No fear of failure
- Praise – even for the little things
- Simplicity of message
- Embracing mental freedom and fun
In four matches that England were asked to chase in access of 250, Ben Stokes and Co. chased all of them. It includes fourth-inning chases of 277, 299, 296, and 378. Three were chased against New Zealand and one against India.
In the seven Tests played that summer, England picked all 20 wickets in 6 Tests out of them. England team are currently in India for a five-match Test series and the focus remains on their ‘Bazball’ approach.
England’s Bazball Approach During 1st Test against India (2024)
However, Ben Stokes and Co. aren’t finding it easy to play freely on spin-friendly tracks in India. Another perfect suit for the Bazzball approach is England’s most recent win against India in Hyderabad in 2024. England once, lacking intent to even stand for three days in the 1st Test against India, went on to add a surplus of 400 runs in their 2nd innings. England set a target of 231 runs to the hosts and to the courtesy of Tom Hartley, who took 7 wickets in 2nd innings to bundle out India for 202 runs. Most of the foundation was laid by Ollie Pope who exemplified the Bazball intent and took charge of England’s batting and scored 196 runs.
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