'Bazball doesn't work against world-class bowling attack' - Former cricketers take dig at England's approach following South Africa's Lord's triumph

The much-discussed “Bazball” idea was destroyed by South Africa’s ferocious attack as England were knocked out for 165 and 149 runs in their two innings of the first Test, handing the visitors an innings win. After four consecutive wins under the Brendon McCullum-Ben Stokes regime, which included a series whitewash against New Zealand and one win against India, England suffered a disappointing loss at Lord’s.

The Proteas not only grabbed a 1-0 series lead after winning the first for the three Tests by an inning and 12 runs, but they also solidified their place atop the ongoing ICC World Test Championship in an attempt to make it to the grand finale of the event at the same venue, the Lord’s. With this win, South Africa has made their case even stronger, and the English team was trolled by former cricketers for the failure of their Bazball approach.

Prior to the Lord’s Test, South Africa skipper Dean Elgar had amusingly downplayed the danger posed by “Bazball,” the name given to the brand of cricket England has been playing since Brendon McCullum took over as their red-ball head coach.

“I think it can go one of two ways for them and it can go south very quickly. Their own coach doesn’t even like the slogan they’ve come up with. I’d like to see them do it against our seamers,” Elgar was quoted as saying to The Guardian.

South African bowlers had a befitting reply to England’s Bazball approach

The hosts, who scored only 165 runs in the first inning, were bowled out for just 149 runs in the second. If Kagiso Rabada’s fifer in the first innings was what ultimately brought the much-appalled English players to their knees, Anrich Nortje’s three-wicket haul in the second innings inflicted the majority of the damage.

The defeat has not gone well with English supporters, who are already questioning the tactics used by head coach McCullum, known as “Bazball,” which calls for playing aggressive cricket at all times and playing to win. The fact that England failed to reach 200 runs in either of their innings has unsettled the former cricketers and experts, who criticized England’s strategy.

Here is how they reacted:

"Bazball has done wonders in the fourth inns"

SA: There will be no fourth inns. #ENGvSA

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 19, 2022

South Africa shows that Bazball doesn't work against world class bowling attack with variety and a sharp captain who sets smart fields. #SAvsENG

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 19, 2022

For all the talk at Bazball one thing is for sure the great game of test cricket will never change. Batters will always need to earn the right to score runs. It’s interesting to watch how the psyche of batsmen change when there is pace in an opposition bowling attack! #ENGvSA

— Nick Compton (@thecompdog) August 19, 2022

Fantastic win for #SA. England thumped by an innings in under 3 days. Puts BazBall theory in question, but more importantly highlights huge strides made by Proteas in this format in recent past. Hard fought Series win over India and now a victory over high flying England👏👏

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 19, 2022

#BouchBall doing the rounds courtesy the fantastic @FirdoseM 😀👍

— Anant Tyagi (@anantyagi_) August 19, 2022

Awesome build up, love the banter between teams✅. ‘Bazball’, ✅Serious bowling attacks.. ✅ Bring on day one.. #ENGvSA 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇿🇦

— Morne Morkel (@mornemorkel65) August 17, 2022

THIS! #bazball #testcricket https://t.co/yrXj7TE92W

— neeru bhatia (@neerubhatia3) August 19, 2022