THE LIMITATIONS OF BAZBALL

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan [October 7-11, 2024].

Since Brendon McCullum has become the coach of the English Test side, the POMS have been playing a brand of cricket that has never been seen before. The Three Lions have redefined the way test cricket is played by their aggressive brand of cricket. Some call it entertaining, whereas others call it stupid. However, one cannot deny the fact that their style has taken the cricketing world by storm. 

However, the question that arises is, what is actually the Bazball style of play? The same can be best explained by the England-Pakistan game, which was played in Multan between October 7 and 11. On a flat pitch, the hosts amassed a massive 556 in 149 overs. It appeared that the game would end in a draw. However, this is when the Bazball style of play came in between. The English scored a whopping 823 in 150 overs and put the pressure back on the Pakistanis. Harry Brook, who is the poster boy of the Bazball style of cricket, scored a massive 317 off just 322 deliveries. Even Joe Root batted at a strike rate of 70 as he scored 262 of 375 deliveries. The duo literally made a mess of the Pakistani bowling line-up who was struggling to take wickets. The hosts looked simply clueless in front of the assault unleashed before them. It seemed that gave all hopes of taking a wicket and were waiting for the English declaration. Due to such an explosive batting performance, the visitors were thus successful in putting the pressure back on the hosts. Eventually, the hosts crumbled in the second innings, and the English ended up winning the game by an innings and 47 runs. To be honest, the game would have ended in a draw if the POMS would have batted like a typical test inning. 

But now the question that arises is why is everyone criticizing Bazball if it is bringing results than a draw? The answer to the same is that the Bazball style of play works in conditions where the pitch is flat and fast. The moment the pitch shows the signs of spin and swing, Bazball falls apart. The same was quite evident in the next 2 games wherein the Pakistani prepared a spin web, and the English lost both. 

To watch the innings of Harry Brook, Click Here.

To watch the innings of Joe Root, Click Here.