A Newly Invented Term | What is Bazball in Cricket
Published: 5 Feb 2025
If you’ve been following Test cricket recently, you might have heard the term “Bazball” so what is bazball? Simply put, it is an aggressive approach in test cricket where batters take risks to score quickly and put constant pressure on the opposition.
Andrew Miller, the editor of ESPN Cricinfo UK, first used the term “Bazball” on the Switch Hit podcast in 2022
Since Brendon McCullum took over as England’s Test coach in May 2022, he has completely changed the team’s approach. Before he arrived, England had won only one of their last 17 Tests. But under his leadership, they started playing bold, attacking cricket. And the cricket lovers have heard a new term…..Bazball.
What is Bazball Cricket?
Bazball is all about scoring runs quickly in Test matches with the goal of winning the game, rather than just playing defensively for a draw or taking things slowly.
England’s first Test series under McCullum was against New Zealand, the defending World Test Champions. They didn’t just win 3-0—they dominated in style, chasing down big targets like 277, 299, and 296 in under 80 overs each time.
This aggressive new style of play was so noticeable that people started calling it Bazball, inspired by McCullum’s nickname, Baz.
How Does Cricket Bazball Work?
The idea behind Bazball is simple:
- Play aggressively but smartly.
- Keep scoring runs at a fast rate.
- Chase big targets with confidence.
- Always aim to win, rather than just survive.
England’s success with this style has brought them wins and made Test cricket more entertaining and results-oriented. Fans now expect teams to play exciting, fast-paced test cricket instead of slow, grinding matches.
The Bazball Started
The first real example of Bazball came in England’s Test series against New Zealand in 2022.
In the first Test, England was struggling at 69/4 while chasing 277. Instead of slowing down, Joe Root played aggressively and scored an unbeaten 115, leading England to victory with support from *Ben Stokes (90) and Ben Foakes (120)**.
The second Test was historic—it had the highest total runs (1,675) in an England vs. New Zealand match. New Zealand made 553 runs in 145.3 overs, but England replied with 539 in just 128.2 overs, scoring at 4.20 runs per over. Chasing 299, Jonny Bairstow’s blistering 136, including a 77-ball century, helped England win in just 50 overs.
In the third Test, England was struggling again at 17/3. But Bairstow smashed 162 runs off 157 balls, hitting 24 boundaries. England chased down 296, with Ollie Pope (82) and Joe Root (86)* sealing the win in just 54.2 overs.
Bazball also helped England chase 378 runs against India—their highest successful chase in Test history—in just 77 overs.
England’s Success Under McCullum
Since McCullum became head coach, England has played 18 Tests, winning 13, losing only four, and drawing one. His winning percentage as England’s coach stands at an impressive 72.22%.
Bazball has proven that Test cricket doesn’t have to be slow and defensive—it can be aggressive, entertaining, and bring results in the form of a win or lose. With England leading this new approach, Test cricket might never be the same again.
