What is Bazball? How England and Ben Stokes revolutionised Test cricket
1 year, 6 months ago

What is Bazball? How England and Ben Stokes revolutionised Test cricket

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have neither ripped up the cricket rule book, nor invented a new shot, but they have transformed England’s fortunes from rock bottom to entertainers. Few knew what to expect when England hosted New Zealand last June, but they were blown away with Jonny Bairstow’s onslaught at Trent Bridge one of the main highlights of the summer as did the first threat to the 120-year-old record for England’s fastest-ever Test century of the ‘Bazball’ era. Australia took three games – dubbed the 15-day Test – on Pakistan’s pitches to secure victory but England departed Karachi just before Christmas with a 3-0 win that seemed inconceivable when they touched down in Islamabad almost a month before. open image in gallery Stokes led England to a historic 3-0 win in Pakistan in the winter New Zealand have played five Tests against England in the new era, and won one.

History of this topic

NZ vs ENG: England captain Stokes not blaming injury on extra bowling load
Top News
1 week, 1 day ago
Stokes sidelined with a hamstring injury as New Zealand beats England by 423 runs in the 3rd test
1 week, 1 day ago
NZ vs ENG: Ben Stokes injury plagues England as New Zealand sniff consolation win
1 week, 2 days ago
England players give New Zealand's Tim Southee guard of honour in farewell Test
Top News
1 week, 4 days ago
Cricket-Stokes wary of Ashes distractions as England aim for NZ sweep
1 week, 5 days ago
Cricket-Stokes wary of Ashes distractions as England aim for NZ sweep
1 week, 5 days ago
Ben Stokes praises England’s ‘unbelievable bravery’ in victory against New Zealand
2 weeks, 2 days ago
NZ vs ENG, 2nd Test: Blundell’s century in vain as England beats Black Caps by 323 runs
2 weeks, 3 days ago
England beats New Zealand by 323 runs in 2nd test to take unassailable 2-0 series lead
2 weeks, 3 days ago
Ben Stokes credits England's dominant style of play for New Zealand series win
2 weeks, 3 days ago
NZ vs ENG, 2nd Test: Atkinson hat-trick, Bethell 98 put England in driver's seat
2 weeks, 4 days ago
NZ vs ENG, 2nd Test: Latham seconds Stokes on over-rate penalty issue ahead of second test
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Ben Stokes provides injury update ahead of second Test against New Zealand
3 weeks, 2 days ago
"Our bowlers were relentless throughout": England skipper Stokes reflects on win over NZ in 1st Test
3 weeks, 3 days ago
New Zealand vs England: Bethell, Carse guide visitors to eight-wicket win
3 weeks, 3 days ago
NZ vs ENG, 1st Test, Day 4 Highlights: England beats New Zealand by eight wickets to take 1-0 lead in three-match series
3 weeks, 3 days ago
NZ vs ENG, 1st Test, Day 3 Highlights: New Zealand erases first-innings deficit but loses six wickets
3 weeks, 4 days ago
Cricket-Brook century drags England back into first NZ test
3 weeks, 5 days ago
NZ vs ENG, 1st Test: Brook century drags England back into first New Zealand Test
3 weeks, 5 days ago
NZ vs ENG, 1st Test, Day 2 Highlights: Brook hundred propels England to 319/5 at Stumps; Trails by 29 runs
3 weeks, 5 days ago
England remove New Zealand openers in first morning of series
3 weeks, 6 days ago
Despite Kane Williamson's 93, England dominate Day 1 of 1st Test vs New Zealand
Trending News
3 weeks, 6 days ago
Stokes-McCullum need series win vs India or Australia: Cook speaks on Bazball
3 weeks, 6 days ago
NZ vs ENG, 1st Test, Day 1 Highlights: Williamson 93 takes New Zealand to 319/8 at Stumps; Bashir picks four wickets
3 weeks, 6 days ago
NZ vs ENG: Jacob Bethell handed England Test debut against New Zealand
4 weeks, 1 day ago
NZ vs ENG 2024: New Zealand expect England to stick to attacking ‘Bazball’ ways
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Ben Stokes likely to sit out the IPL to prioritise England’s Test team
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Ben Stokes backs England’s batters after crushing series defeat to Pakistan
1 month, 4 weeks ago
Pakistan ‘found Bazball’s kryptonite’ as they put England into a spin
1 month, 4 weeks ago
Stokes's Press Conference Misunderstanding Leaves Fans Amused
1 month, 4 weeks ago
Stokes Warns of Spin Battle in Pakistan-England Showdown
Trending News
2 months ago
England deploy four spinners and one specialist fast bowler for third Test against Pakistan
2 months ago
Pakistan vs England LIVE: Cricket score and updates from second Test in Multan
2 months, 1 week ago
Ben Stokes has no issue with Pakistan exploiting home advantage for second Test
2 months, 1 week ago
Stuart Broad makes bold claim about England’s Bazball approach for Pakistan series
2 months, 3 weeks ago
England suffer EMBARRASSING defeat by Sri Lanka by eight wickets thanks to Pathum Nissanka's unbeaten century - as hosts' 100% summer record ends
3 months, 2 weeks ago
'IPL helped our average Test players get rich...': Boycott's fiery 'join a circus' rant aimed at Ben Stokes and co.
5 months, 1 week ago
Ben Stokes: It’s tough to see the backlash against England’s footballers
5 months, 2 weeks ago
Ben Stokes: England are changing so we can win back Ashes
5 months, 2 weeks ago
Ben Stokes hits back at Australian media, claiming England live ‘rent free’ in Australia’s heads
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Andrew Strauss: My England team would beat the Bazballers
8 months ago
The Taste for Test Cricket in the T20 Era
8 months, 2 weeks ago
Bazball needs a reboot as the England cricket sideshow begins series two
9 months, 1 week ago
Ashwin shocked by Anderson's over-the-top comments, Joe Root's defenceless cricket in a fresh view on Bazball
9 months, 1 week ago
Michael Vaughan turns up heat on Ben Stokes' Bazballing England with 'team made up of cheerleaders' jibe
9 months, 2 weeks ago
‘Their batting failed miserably’: Former cricketers slam England’s Bazball approach after losing Test series in India 4-1
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Ben Stokes: Write off England and myself at your peril
9 months, 2 weeks ago
India remain in charge against England despite first-ball magic from Ben Stokes
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Ben Stokes puts spotlight on England superstar before R Ashwin's milestone 100th Test: 'Amazing career to date'
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Ind vs Eng Tests | Dreams come true when you hold on to them against the odds
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Discover Related