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When Brendon McCullum took charge of England’s Test side in May 2022, he didn’t just tweak the game plan — he rewired the whole cricketing DNA. Out went the grind and survival mode, in came Bazball: aggression, freedom, and intent stitched into every shot.
The results? Hard to argue with. At home, England have 17 wins in 25 Tests under McCullum — a leap from a pre-Bazball win rate of 38% to a dominant 68%. Away wins have climbed from 30% to almost 47%. The energy is electric.
But here’s the thing — it’s not just the batting that’s changed. The pitches have too. England’s old recipe of overcast skies, a Duke ball, and a juicy green pitch used to be fast-bowler heaven. Now? They’re ironing them flat, and batters are feasting.
Look at the latest Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy. Shubman Gill scored 754 runs. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja crossed 500. Nine batters passed 400. Only Siraj managed more than 20 wickets. Compare that to India’s 2021–22 tour — where bowlers like Bumrah, Robinson, and Anderson dominated — and the difference is stark.
This is the ripple effect of Bazball. T20’s fearless batting DNA has been plugged straight into Tests. Chasing 300 in the fourth innings isn’t a dream anymore — it’s the baseline expectation.
Fans love it. Broadcasters love it. The players are buzzing. Every match feels like a highlights reel. But there’s a cost. England’s greatest traditional weapon — home advantage for seamers — is being blunted. And if even England goes flat, where do bowlers still get to run the show?
For now, the run-fests roll on. England’s riding the high, records are falling, and no one’s in the mood to complain — unless you’re a bowler.
**This news was published on Times of India on 9th August, 2025.
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