The Quiet Evolution of Bazball: From Battle Cry to Clarity

Three years ago, word filtered out from Trent Bridge that Brendon McCullum had charged his England players to "run towards the danger." What followed—Jonny Bairstow vaporising a target of 299 against New Zealand—was sporting theatre, raw and rousing. The press, predictably, devoured it. The mantra was headline catnip, a declaration of intent wrapped in machismo.

Fast forward to this week at Headingley, and England, faced with a chase of 371, completed it with 14 overs to spare at a breezy 4.5 runs per over. Yet, this time, there was no rallying cry, no metaphors borrowed from war or wilderness. Just a quiet confidence. The dressing room message was succinct: “Bat the day, win the game.” Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, opening the innings, agreed simply to “play like it was day one.”

It wasn’t theatrical. But perhaps that’s the point. After three years under McCullum and Ben Stokes, a new psychology is calcifying. Where once England’s Test team approached large chases with trepidation—weighted by history, fixated on the draw—now they appear unshackled. The clarity is so complete, the sabres need not be rattled.

Ben Duckett, architect of a match-defining 149 from 170 balls, hinted at this maturation. “My mindset was a bit different to what it has been over the last couple of years,” he noted, having initially restrained himself against Jasprit Bumrah’s probing spell. “It was potentially a bit of maturity kicking in… knowing it would get easier.”

Credit, too, went to Crawley, whose 65 came in a 188-run opening partnership that laid the foundation for the pursuit. “He is definitely thinking about batting differently now,” said Duckett. “Still smacking the bad ball, but with a calmness in thought.”

This tonal shift isn’t limited to the middle. Rob Key, director of England men’s cricket, has quietly encouraged less public bluster. Behind the scenes too, the rhetoric has softened. Bazball, once a clarion call, now hums beneath the surface—less showy, more systemic.

There remain flashes of overreach. Jamie Smith’s premature dismissal on day three, moments before the second new ball, was a reminder that aggression still sometimes bleeds into recklessness. But in the decisive moments—when 69 runs remained and the finish line beckoned—Smith steadied. At the other end, Joe Root offered a masterclass in calm, a heartbeat barely perceptible, allowing Smith to play a poised, unbeaten 44.

Naturally, detractors will note India’s dropped catches, a cooperative pitch, and yet another subpar batch of Dukes balls. The scepticism mirrors the early days of Eoin Morgan’s white-ball revolution—when England’s newfound fluency with the bat from 2015 to 2019 was treated with suspicion before it became the norm.

Yet the counterarguments fall a little flat. England dropped chances too. And Headingley’s true surfaces predate the Stokes-McCullum regime—recall Shai Hope’s unforgettable 2017 twin centuries on this very ground.

Even with fortune’s usual fluctuations, the achievement stands tall. Not just the fourth-innings chase, but the resilience shown earlier. India amassed five centuries, and twice forced England into the field for long, draining stretches. In another era, English shoulders would have slumped. This time, they stiffened.

Alastair Cook captured the contrast aptly. Speaking to Test Match Special, he confessed that in his day, had he won the toss and seen the opposition reach 430 for three—as India did by day two—doubts would have surfaced within the ranks. But this team under Stokes is different. Their belief is unyielding. To borrow a phrase from Stokes’s own 2019 Headingley epic: they “never, ever give up.”

And now, perhaps, they don’t even need to say it aloud.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar 

Ben Duckett: The Aggressive Craftsman of England’s Bazball Revolution

Headingley Heroics: A Statement Victory

Headingley has become a fortress for England, and the 2025 Test against India solidified its mythic status. Chasing 371, England raced to their target in just 82 overs—a record-breaking effort that stunned the visitors and thrilled spectators.

At the heart of it was Ben Duckett, whose innings of 149 was as dazzling in technique as it was brutal in pace. Alongside Zak Crawley, Duckett forged a 188-run opening partnership, the highest first-wicket stand in the fourth innings of a Test match in England and the highest globally since 1995.

What made the performance remarkable wasn't just the numbers but the context—the pitch offered spin and variable bounce, rain threatened throughout the final day, and England faced arguably the world’s best all-format bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. Yet Duckett's innovation, particularly his now-trademark reverse sweep, dismantled India's attack. Bumrah was neutralized. Jadeja, one of the world’s leading spinners, was reduced to a defensive option. India’s six dropped catches and two lower-order collapses proved fatal, but the tone was set by Duckett’s bat.

Duckett's Defining Knock: Controlled Aggression at Work

Ben Duckett’s 149 wasn't a blitzkrieg from ball one. It was strategic. He began cautiously, respecting the new-ball spells of Bumrah and Siraj in gloomy morning conditions. The tide turned with the change bowlers—Duckett pounced on Prasidh Krishna and Jadeja with pinpoint precision.

Reverse sweeps, paddles, and deft cuts followed. He offered just one chance—on 97—which was grassed by Jaiswal. That missed opportunity typified India’s day and allowed Duckett to continue building one of his most important Test innings. His footwork was quick, his reactions sharper. A reverse slap over cover-point for six encapsulated his audacity.

Duckett eventually fell to Shardul Thakur on 149, but not before redefining what a fourth-innings innings could look like in English conditions. His strike rate edged close to 100, showing how Bazball isn’t recklessness—it’s precision offence.

A Tale of Two Careers: From Early Promise to Near-Oblivion

The 2016 Meteoric Rise

In 2016, Ben Duckett was the most exciting young cricketer in England. A 282 not out against Sussex marked him as a future star. His style—high backlift, fast hands, and fearlessness—wasn’t typical of a Test opener, but it worked.

He ended the year as PCA Player of the Year, PCA Young Cricketer of the Year, and a Test and ODI debutant. However, his initial stint at the international level was short-lived. He struggled in India, scoring 13, 5, and 0 in successive innings. His defensive technique was exposed on spinning tracks. He was dropped and didn’t return for years.

Off-Field Troubles and Setbacks

Worse followed. In 2017, during the Ashes tour, Duckett was suspended for an off-field incident involving teammate James Anderson. The drink-pouring episode in Perth was symbolic: Duckett’s career, once promising, was now in freefall. He was banned, fined, and left out of the Lions tour. His discipline, both in life and on the field, was under scrutiny.

Redemption Through County Cricket: Nottinghamshire and Renewal

Rebuilding Phase at Notts

Duckett left Northamptonshire and joined Nottinghamshire in 2018, a move that reshaped his career. He rediscovered his hunger, his confidence, and importantly—his discipline. He scored a rapid double hundred in 2019 and emerged as the rock in Notts’ batting lineup. In 2022, he amassed 1,012 runs at 72.28, leading Nottinghamshire to a Division Two title.

His transformation was complete. The loose strokes of his early years gave way to measured aggression, and England noticed. His recall in late 2022 was not just redemption—it was a renaissance.

The Bazball Catalyst: A Style Made for the Modern Game

Ben Duckett’s resurgence coincided with the birth of Bazball—England’s new fearless, attacking brand of Test cricket under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. It wasn’t just about scoring quickly; it was about dominating psychologically.

Duckett fit the mold perfectly. His reverse sweep became a symbol of defiance against traditional cricket norms. He scores at tempo, rotates strike with touch shots, and pivots aggressively against short-pitched bowling using his core and hips. He makes 360° cricket a red-ball art form.

His 88-ball century in Rajkot (2024) was the fastest by an Englishman in India and epitomized Bazball at its finest.

Consistent Performer in All Formats

Duckett’s rise hasn't been limited to just Tests:

ODIs: Scored his maiden century (107 not out off 78 balls) against Ireland in 2023.

Ashes 2023: Scored 321 runs, including two vital fifties in a drawn series.

New Zealand Series: Registered 151 runs in two Tests.

Ireland Test 2023: Scored a career-best 182.

He has adapted his white-ball skills to red-ball cricket, maintaining tempo without compromising technique. His ability to judge length early makes him effective against spin and pace alike.

Mental Fortitude and the Fearless Mindset

One of Duckett’s greatest transformations has been psychological. Early in his career, he tried to conform—playing "proper" Test cricket. It didn’t suit him. Since his return, Duckett has embraced his style:

“Two years ago, the shots I play would have been unacceptable. It’s amazing what you can do when you take away the fear of failure.”

He no longer tries to prove he’s the “perfect” opener. He plays to his strengths—and that honesty has been his biggest asset. Stokes and McCullum’s leadership gave Duckett the freedom to fail—and in doing so, he’s succeeded consistently.

Culture Fit: A Face of Modern England Cricket

Duckett is more than just a cricketer—he’s a symbol of the new team culture. He embodies the team’s relaxed and open ethos. He jokes about bringing out “Ducky bucket hats”, blending brand with performance.

The team atmosphere allows individuality to flourish. He’s not burdened by history, records, or expectations. He sees Test cricket as an opportunity, not a burden.

Duckett's Redemption is England's Revolution

Ben Duckett’s story is not just a tale of personal revival—it’s a reflection of how English cricket itself has evolved. Once a flawed prodigy with off-field baggage, Duckett is now a pillar of the most exciting Test team in the world.

He’s technically refined, but not restricted.

He’s fearless, but not reckless.

He’s aggressive, but with purpose.

As England continue their Bazball journey, Duckett remains central to their ambitions—an opener who scores with flair, defies convention, and has finally found his place. His journey reminds us that redemption in sport is not only possible but can be glorious.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

A Tale of Lost Opportunities: England's Defeat in Vizag

Test cricket, often called the ultimate examination of skill and temperament, demands a fine balance between survival and ambition. England’s collapse on the final day of the Vizag Test against India wasn't the result of demonic pitches or unplayable deliveries but of an inability to adapt, plan, and persevere. 

A Missed Opportunity for Resistance

Chasing an imposing target of 405, England's hopes for survival rested on batting time rather than chasing glory. The fourth-day effort by Alastair Cook and Haseeb Hameed, though far from enthralling, echoed Michael Atherton’s legendary Johannesburg stand against Donald and Pollock in 1995. It was gritty, calculated, and effective—until it wasn’t. 

From 87 for no loss, a promising platform crumbled into 87 for 2 by stumps, exposing a brittle middle order to the guile of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and debutant Jayant Yadav. The final-day capitulation, completed within 38 overs, highlighted technical inadequacies rather than the mythical “luck of the toss” that Cook alluded to post-match. 

England’s Achilles' Heel: The Middle Order

The English middle order looked woefully unprepared, not just technically but temperamentally. Ben Duckett, a promising talent, floundered under the scrutiny of India’s spinners. His inability to use his feet or defend with conviction turned him into an easy target. His dismissal on the final day wasn’t just a technical failure but a psychological capitulation, underscoring the toll that sustained pressure can exert. 

Duckett’s struggles demand a rethink. Jos Buttler’s inclusion for the third Test seems prudent. His aggressive approach could disrupt India’s spin trio, and shifting Jonny Bairstow up the order would maximize one of England’s most consistent performers. Bairstow has the temperament to stabilize the innings and provide the solidity that Duckett has failed to deliver. 

The Spin Conundrum

While India’s spinners thrived on home conditions, England’s slow bowlers faltered. Adil Rashid showed glimpses of promise in the second innings, but Zafar Ansari’s performances raised questions about his effectiveness. His lack of consistency—delivering short balls and failing to exploit rough patches—undermined Cook’s ability to exert pressure.  

If England persists with three spinners, Gareth Batty, with his experience, might be a more reliable option than Ansari. Though not in the league of Graeme Swann or Monty Panesar, Batty offers control and the ability to challenge batsmen on wearing tracks. 

Pace Remains England’s Strength

Amid the spin-related woes, England’s pace attack remains their trump card. Stuart Broad’s determination to recover from injury and don the "moon boot" speaks volumes about his commitment. Broad, alongside James Anderson, Ben Stokes, and Chris Woakes (if fit), could form a formidable pace quartet in Mohali. Woakes’ dual skills as a bowler and batsman provide England with the all-round edge they sorely missed at Vizag. 

Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid can serve as complementary spinners rather than frontline match-winners, with the pacers shouldering the primary burden. England’s strategy should lean on its pace prowess while using spin as a supporting weapon rather than the spearhead. 

The Road Ahead

England’s defeat in Vizag wasn’t just a tactical misstep—it was a failure to adapt and execute under pressure. The Indian bowlers bowled well, but their deliveries weren’t unplayable. England’s batsmen, particularly the middle order, lacked the resolve and application needed to survive. 

The team must now introspect and recalibrate. Winning in the subcontinent requires a Plan B—one that transcends the toss and embraces adaptability. Whether it’s reshuffling the batting order, rethinking the bowling combination, or instilling greater mental toughness, England must rise to the challenge. 

The third Test at Mohali offers a chance for redemption, but it will demand more than hope—it will require England to rediscover their grit, address their vulnerabilities, and play to their strengths. The question is not whether they can, but whether they will.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

A Tale of Strategy and Composure: England Triumphs Over Bangladesh in Chittagong

The third One-Day International (ODI) between Bangladesh and England in Chittagong carried the weight of anticipation and uncertainty. With the series delicately poised at 1-1 and heavy rains lashing the city for days, cricket fans braced themselves for potential disappointment. The weather threatened to overshadow what promised to be an enthralling decider, especially since England had declined to use the reserve day. Yet, fate smiled on the cricketing world as the rains ceased, and the toss unfolded amid roaring cheers, setting the stage for a battle of wits and skills. 

A Pivotal Toss and a Tactical Beginning

England's captain, Jos Buttler, demonstrated astute tactical awareness by opting to bowl first under overcast skies on a pitch offering bounce and carry. It was a decision rooted in pragmatism, as the track was expected to ease for batting as the game progressed. Bangladesh’s opening duo, Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes, approached the innings with caution, adopting a traditional method of survival rather than capitalizing on the bounce. While their circumspection was understandable, it lacked the flair needed to seize the initiative against a disciplined English attack. 

Buttler’s foresight came into play as he exploited the subdued approach of Bangladesh’s openers. Ben Stokes’ clever cross-seam delivery to Kayes—paired with a fielder stationed strategically at short leg—proved to be the first masterstroke. Kayes’ misjudged flick epitomized how pressure can force errors, gifting England an early breakthrough. 

Tamim, on the other hand, found a rhythm and partnered with Sabbir Rahman to lift the scoring rate, unfurling a flurry of pugnacious strokes. However, England’s strategy was calculated: Buttler unleashed Adil Rashid, who baited Tamim with a loose delivery outside off. Tamim, in his aggressive intent, played a rash stroke and fell prey to the trap. The wicket highlighted England’s ability to outthink their opponents, even at the cost of conceding boundaries. 

The Middle Overs: Bangladesh Falters Under Pressure

Mahmudullah Riyad’s dismissal off a harmless long-hop underscored a frustrating trait of Bangladesh’s batting—impatience against mediocrity. Rashid’s ploy to serve occasional loose deliveries worked, as Bangladeshi batsmen repeatedly took the bait. Despite a brief revival by Sabbir and Mushfiqur Rahim, the innings lost momentum with the dismissal of Shakib Al Hasan, a pivotal moment engineered by England’s spinners. 

The latter stages saw Rahim rekindle his touch, anchoring the innings to a modest total. Yet, with only 249 runs on the board, Bangladesh found themselves 30-40 runs short on a track that demanded a stronger finish. 

England’s Clinical Chase

England’s response was a masterclass in composure and precision. Unlike Bangladesh, they prioritized strike rotation over flamboyance, ensuring the pressure of the required run rate never mounted. Ben Duckett emerged as the architect of the chase, showcasing technical prowess and an authoritative sweep shot that neutralized the Bangladeshi spinners. His ability to accumulate runs with deft placements was a testament to his maturity as a batsman. 

The hallmark of England’s approach lay in their temperament. Partnerships flourished even after dismissals, as incoming batsmen seamlessly adapted to the situation. The middle overs, often the Achilles’ heel for chasing sides, became a stage for England to solidify their grip on the game. They refrained from rash risks, opting instead for calculated aggression, a strategy that paid dividends as they eased to victory. 

Bangladesh’s Shortcomings: Lessons to Be Learned

Bangladesh’s performance, though spirited, revealed familiar flaws. Their spinners faltered by relying on turn rather than bowling a disciplined line and length. The inability to contain England’s singles and twos compounded their woes, with fielding lapses punctuating a lacklustre display. While Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s late resurgence hinted at resilience, it was not enough to unsettle England’s determination. 

A Contest of Contrasts

The third ODI was a microcosm of contrasting philosophies. While England exuded professionalism and clarity of purpose, Bangladesh seemed to waver under pressure, undermining their potential. Buttler’s captaincy, bolstered by a collective effort from bowlers and batsmen, stood out as a template for modern limited-overs cricket. 

For Bangladesh, the match served as a reminder of the importance of adaptability and discipline, qualities they must hone to compete against the best. As the series concluded, it left fans with both moments of brilliance and lessons for the future—a testament to the enduring allure of cricket. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

The Anatomy of a Collapse: Lessons from Mirpur

Four years ago, Bangladesh endured a heartbreak at the Asia Cup final, losing to Pakistan by a mere two runs in a low-scoring thriller. That memory still haunts Bangladeshi cricket fans, a painful reminder of how close they came to scripting history. Fast forward to their ODI clash against England in Mirpur, and it seems history found a way to repeat itself—not as a triumph, but as a tragedy. 

Despite visible progress in the past few years, Bangladesh’s Achilles’ heel remains: the inability to handle pressure in critical moments. This recurring shortfall was on full display on a warm evening in Dhaka when England clinched a dramatic victory in the first ODI, snatching it from the jaws of what seemed like certain defeat. 

The Build-Up: A Sporting Challenge

The Mirpur track was a well-balanced surface, offering assistance to both batsmen and bowlers. England’s innings was built on the backbone of a steady partnership between Ben Stokes and Ben Duckett, followed by a late assault from Jos Buttler. The visitors posted a challenging total of 309 for 8 in 50 overs—competitive, but far from unassailable on such a track. 

Bangladesh began their chase with cautious optimism. Steady progress marked the early overs, but England’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding turned the tide, leaving the Tigers teetering at 153 for 4. However, Imrul Kayes and Shakib Al Hasan, two of Bangladesh’s most experienced players, forged a partnership that tilted the balance back in favour of the home side. 

With only 37 runs required from eight overs and six wickets in hand, the match seemed to be Bangladesh’s to lose. And lose they did, in the most inexplicable fashion, crumbling under the weight of their own insecurities to hand England an improbable victory. 

The Collapse: A Study in Pressure

Shakib’s dismissal in the 42nd over was the turning point, an event that sowed the seeds of doubt and panic in the Bangladeshi camp. What followed was a textbook collapse: six wickets fell for a paltry 17 runs, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning how such a favourable position could unravel so dramatically. 

Jake Ball and Adil Rashid were instrumental in England’s resurgence, varying their pace and exploiting the bounce to unsettle the lower-order batsmen. But more than England’s brilliance, it was Bangladesh’s mental fragility that scripted their downfall. 

The Role of Pressure

Rudi Webster’s observations in *Think Like a Champion* provide a lens through which this collapse can be analyzed. According to Webster, “You create most of your pressure by the way you evaluate the situations you face and assess your ability to handle them.” For Bangladesh, the pressure wasn’t just external—it was self-imposed, magnified by fear of failure and a history of capitulations in similar scenarios. 

When Shakib departed, the lower order seemed paralyzed by the thought of an English comeback. Instead of focusing on strike rotation and playing percentage cricket, they overthought the situation, allowing fear to cloud their judgment. In sport, pressure often amplifies the significance of the moment, and in this case, it reduced a composed chase to chaos. 

England’s Edge: Belief and Composure 

England, on the other hand, exemplified the art of handling pressure. Despite being on the back foot for most of Bangladesh’s chase, they never lost belief in their ability to turn the game around. Their bowlers rediscovered their rhythm, their fielders lifted their intensity, and their captain marshaled his resources with precision. 

That mental toughness, combined with tactical adaptability, was the decisive factor. England didn’t just outplay Bangladesh—they out-thought them. 

The Lessons: Moving Beyond Tragedy

For Bangladesh, the loss is a painful reminder of the importance of mental strength in high-stakes cricket. Physical skills and tactical planning can only take a team so far; it is composure under pressure that often separates victory from defeat. 

The Tigers must learn to view pressure not as a threat, but as an opportunity to excel. They need to trust their abilities, minimize overthinking, and execute their plans with clarity and confidence. 

As Rudi Webster aptly notes, “Your action is controlled by your mind and when you overthink about the negative outcomes, catastrophic outcomes are sure to come.” Bangladesh must internalize this wisdom if they are to avoid such collapses in the future. 

A Call to Resilience

The defeat at Mirpur is a harsh but necessary lesson for Bangladesh cricket. It is a reminder that while skill and talent lay the foundation for success, the true test lies in the mind. As the Tigers continue their journey, they must embrace the challenges of pressure-filled moments and rise above them, transforming tragedy into triumph. 

Only then will they write a new chapter in their cricketing history—one of resilience, composure, and victory.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar