England refine Bazball approach to play smarter and avoid recklessness | England v West Indies 2024

Brendon McCullum’s methods for managing his team differ greatly from those of Charlotte Dujardin. After calling off training on Wednesday, the England head coach chose to give his players a quick workout just one day prior to the third Test against West Indies; this swift session concluded by midday and was followed by a trip to Little Aston golf club.

This relaxed philosophy reflects McCullum and Ben Stokes’ approach throughout the past two years, focusing on the quality of training rather than the quantity. Regarding individual preparation, players have some control over their routines; they can request additional practice time if they feel unprepared, but if they’re feeling in peak form, they can opt to skip the practice altogether.

Ben Duckett arrived on Wednesday following the birth of his daughter earlier in the week, albeit looking a bit tired. Conversely, Jamie Smith chose to stay away from Lord’s just one day before his Test debut two weeks ago.

“A few years back, that might have been viewed negatively,” Stokes remarked. “I believe that if you’re doing something just because you think it’s what you ought to be doing for appearances’ sake, it’s absolutely pointless. It’s simply a waste of energy.”

While this training strategy has remained consistent, England plans to adapt their on-field tactics this summer. Similar to the beginning of Eoin Morgan’s white-ball revolution after the 2015 World Cup, the initial phase of McCullum’s four-year reign focused on broadening players’ mindsets and maximizing their batting potential, with Stokes leading by example through his aggressive style. There have also been questionable declarations that didn’t pan out, like during the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston last year. However, following a 4-1 defeat in India earlier this year, McCullum acknowledged that their occasional recklessness needed to be tempered, signaling that “refinement” would be the next stage of their development.

Stokes has expressed his aversion to the term “ruthlessness,” suggesting it is only discussed after the fact. Refinement, however, seems more acceptable to him. During last week’s 241-run victory at Trent Bridge—putting England 2-0 up against West Indies and on the verge of a third clean sweep under his captaincy—the all-rounder believed they displayed some of this refinement. The third innings could have spiraled out of control as England found themselves at 99 for three in tricky, overcast conditions. Nevertheless, Harry Brook and Joe Root steadied the ship in a controlled but assertive manner, propelling England’s run rate to 4.5 an over in a partnership of 189 with minimal risks involved. Remarkably, it was the first innings in their past 19 where they did not hit a six.

Root, in particular, has appeared more settled lately, despite having performed decently prior. Over the first two years under Stokes, he averaged 52 but occasionally spoke about uncertainty regarding his role. From an outsider’s perspective, his reverse ramp shot seemed to symbolize an urge to conform to the aggressive style of play. However, after inciting a crucial collapse in Rajkot back in February, the shot was largely put away until it was finally used again in Nottingham after securing his 32nd Test century, with the lead nearing 350. This shift may indicate Root has recognized that staying true to himself benefits the team as a whole.

“We still want to apply as much pressure as possible, even when the bowling conditions favor the opposition,” Stokes stated. “However, you can see that there’s a bit more intelligence in how we approach the game. The run rate remains the same, but it doesn’t feel as expansive, if that makes sense. There’s a real understanding now among the players that each of them approaches the game differently. I think the partnership we saw was an excellent example of the progress we’ve made over the past two years.”

The sample size remains quite limited, especially considering that the West Indies have struggled to compete effectively. Nevertheless, England is not planning to make any changes this week. Stokes has named an unchanged XI, meaning Matthew Potts and Dillon Pennington will have to wait a little longer for their chance. Stokes emphasized that it’s preferable for spots to be earned naturally rather than imposed, and Mark Wood, who recently clocked 97.1mph and inadvertently caused an injury to Kevin Sinclair, is unlikely to participate in all three games against Sri Lanka.

When England decided to rest Jimmy Anderson this summer with one eye on the future, it could be perceived as somewhat contradictory; for instance, they missed an opportunity to assess uncapped Pennington. Conversely, Gus Atkinson, a fast bowler who fluctuates in and out of Surrey’s championship side, is now set to face a third Test match in just three weeks. Regardless of whether he excels or faces challenges, England will gain valuable insights from this experience.