'Bazball' is a new trend in Test cricket which has created its own space. The man whose philosophy gave rise to the term is England's Test head coach Brendon McCullum. Bazball, a phrase that the cricketing world has picked up, is an aggressive approach of batting in the longest format of the game as opposed to the traditional, slow pace of Test cricket.
England suffered a thumping 0-4 defeat at the hands of Australia in the previous edition of the Ashes which saw a massive culling of the cricket board including the Director of Cricket, the head coach and the captain. But with the appointments of a new Test captain and coach in Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum respectively, things have changed in the England cricket arena. The duo of Stokes and McCullum have won 11 of their 14 Tests with the 'Bazball' approach.
'Bazball' encourages the batters to express themselves and pressure the bowlers by looking to score at any opportunity and in any way possible. This approach has seen Zak Crawley favoured as an opener because of his ability to score quickly, even if he has struggled to make any huge scores.
Even players like Joe Root, who are technically excellent, have been encouraged to try different shots. Let's have a look at the list of seven English batters who have rocketed their strike rates under 'Bazball' in the last year.
Joe Root
Ridin on the Bazball approach, Joe Root, the senior most English batter has benefitted the most from this approach. The former skipper has upped his game under this approach and after giving up his captaincy, he has flourished. He scored at a strike rate of 54.64 from 2012 to 2022 but in the last year, he has amassed runs at a strike rate of 76.35.
Harry Brook
England's batting sensation Harry Brook made his debut when the word Bazball was coined in 2022. Under the aegis of Bazball ambassadors Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, Brook has played eight Tests and scored runs at a strike rate of 74.66.
Ben Stokes
England's current Test skipper Ben Stokes had a strike rate of 57.40 before he was given the Test captaincy role. But after that, he has a strike rate of 71.94. Notably his overall strike rate has now increased to 58.83.
Jonny Bairstow
England's star wicketkeeper-batter made his Test debut in 2012. From 2012 to 2022, Bairstow scored at a strike rate of 54.46. But in the last year, his strike rate has surged to 94.76 which makes his overall strike 57.90.
Ollie Pope
The no. 3 batter in Tests for England, Ollie Pope made his debut in 2018. Since then till May 2022, he scored at a strike rate of 50.61. But under the 'Bazball' approach, his strike rate has rocketed to 77.86. During this period, he has cracked three centuries and five half-centuries.
Ben Duckett
After Brendon McCullum became the coach, England tweaked their opening set-up and made Ben Duckett their Test opener. He made his debut during the 2016-17 season and since then 2022 he scored runs at a strike rate of 57.89. Notably, in the last year, his strike rate has gone upto 96.39 which is tremendous. Overall, Duckett boasts an impressive Test strike rate of 88.59.
Zak Crawley
The right-handed opener from England made his Test debut in 2019 and till May 2022 he had a strike rate of 53.81 in Tests, which has increased after the introduction of Bazball. His strike rate in the last year has been 71.93 which spiked his overall Test strike rate which has now come upto 59.73.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Joe Root's shocking admission, says ‘If I could go back, I would start my captaincy like Ben Stokes’
ICC suspends USA's pacer from International cricket for illegal bowling action during WC Qualifiers
‘I actually was asked before Brendon took the job’: Ricky Ponting's sensational claim on England's head coach offer
'I'm done': James Anderson's furious statement after England's loss in first Ashes Test
