Entertaining and Result Oriented: Will Bazball Succeed in the Long-Run?
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England have been criticised for their playing style [AP Photos]
Flashy shots, unusual field setups and a pragmatic leader who is willing to go out of the box to produce winning results. Yes, this is England's way of playing Test cricket, or should I say, this is the 'Bazball' tactics.
Even the most optimistic of English fans wouldn't have imagined the transformation of the England side under the astute guidance of Ben Stokes and Baz McCullum. It has created a new ray of hope in the English setup and certainly has changed the complexion of Test cricket.
There are two school of thoughts when it comes to the Bazball approach. One school is in favour of this radical transformation and has patted the back of Stokes and McCullum for revolutionising Test cricket. The other school is against this new approach and reckons that it is good for entertainment purpose, but entertainment without any logical approach won't win you titles.
The recent defeat against the Aussies has once again sparkled the debate regarding Bazball's long-term success at the international stage. Is it sustainable against a quality attack?
Taking a leaf out of England's ODI style
When Bangladesh stunned England in the 2015 ODI World Cup, everyone expected the Three Lions to crumble. However, Eoin Morgan, the supreme leader instilled a belief in the team and they decided to take an aggressive approach, irrespective off the result.
Under Morgan, England lost the T20 World Cup final in 2016 and the Champions Trophy in 2017, but the decision to play aggressive brand of cricket paid off in 2019, when the team finally got their hands on the coveted World Cup trophy in their own backyard.
Similarly, this new English Test team have setup long-term goals and short-term hiccups won't bother them. Yes, there would be matches when the decisions of Ben Stokes the skipper will be questioned, but the team has an identity which a lot of international teams are missing.
England making Test cricket interesting once again
The advent of T20 cricket has somewhat forced Test cricket to take a back-seat. However, Stokes and McCullum has brought a new life to the game's oldest format.
As stated earlier, the decision making of Stokes and McCullum might be questionable sometimes, but they are making this format entertaining and result oriented. A year ago, the youngsters in England were tilted towards Football, and rightly so. The game offered so much drama and had avid fan-following. However, that trend has changed and Test cricket is slowly and steadily becoming popular amongst the youth.
Surprise declarations, innovative field setups, aggressive intent, this new England side has suddenly changed the landscape of international cricket.
Is it sustainable against quality opposition?
Stokes and McCullum have clearly stated that they would never change their style of play, and will continue to persist with the same formula against every opposition.
England are set to tour India next year for a five-match Test series, and cricket pundits reckon that the series will be the biggest test for 'Bazball' against a potent Indian spin attack.
England will get spinning tracks in India, and we know what happened the last time England visited India in 2021. Despite winning the first Test at Chennai, they lost the remaining three matches, courtesy of the debutant Axar Patel. However, what if England post in excess of 300 in their first innings? Surely the underperforming Indian batting lineup will crumble under pressure.
Post the conclusion of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, McCullum stated in an interview that whatever happens, England will go all-out against the Aussies in the remaining four matches, and they did exactly that. One of the most memorable Ashes series in 2023, ended in a stalemate, but it was surely entertaining for the fans. Even when England were down and out against the Aussie side, they found a way to crawl back with their aggressive approach.
We need to keep in mind that had it not been for Stokes' bold declaration, this game might have headed towards a stalemate, considering the fact that rain spoiled majority of Day 3.
This confidence is what makes the England side different from the others. They have an identity and the team wants to preserve it.
Sometimes it will work; sometimes, it won't. But, oppositions, beware of this Bazball-blooded English team; they will always come to haunt you.
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
