England v India at Edgbaston, Day 5. Can Bazball’s ideology cope with a draw.
Bazball named after the style of cricket favoured by England cricket coach Brendan McCullum is focused on winning games. Defeat is not countenanced (even though they still happen) and the draw is an official Thought Crime.
On Day 5 of the Second England v India Test at Edgbaston, England need 536 to win with 7 second innings wickets remaining. Only one team has ever scored more in a Test day and that was England against India on the second day of aa Test in 1936. There have been a few successful run chases of 400 and over
https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/most-runs-in-one-day-283082
In the circumstances England do still have the batters to bat the day out and get a draw. Is it an ideological step too far for Bazball
Steve James (Times 19th November 2024) provided an interesting stat focused survey of what is happening in cricket Test wise across the world.
2024 saw just two drawn Tests, one between the West Indies and South Africa in August and the Third Test between Australia and India in December 2024. That is an historic low.
In terms of Steve James’s Stat, there were eventually 46 Tests played in 2024. His Stat does not include a two match series between New Zealand and England and four of the five Tests between Australia and India (the 5th Test was in January 2025). That means the percentage of drawn Tests in 2024 was in fact 5%ish
Bazball may be the culprit or hero depending on your view. England under McCullum play to win (or more recently lose) rather than draw. The idea is to bring the pace and excitement of short form cricket into Tests.
Of course better pitch preparation and better drainage reducing rain delays have also helped but it means that five day Tests have become less common.
Personally and I’ve been watching the cricket since the 1960s I think a hard fought draw can show cricket at its best, as a battle between bat and ball where neither quite prevails.
What I don’t like are one sided victories (even if the team I’m supporting wins) and run fests where huge first innings scores see a result achieved via short form methods in the second.
Of course there are wider issues. Firstly in many countries, the audience in person is not there for Tests and staging them is costly. Secondly we are talking men here. There should be a lot more Test Matches in the women’s game.
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