Brendon McCullum: England head coach says term ‘Bazball’ used to hail Test team turnaround is ‘silly’

Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes took charge of a failed England side that had only had one in their previous 17 Tests; they have since won four straight, each time chasing goals over 275 in the fourth innings

Brendon McCullum says ‘Bazball’, the playful term coined in tribute to the new England Tests head coach and the team’s new approach, is ‘dumb’.

McCullum and captain Ben Stokes took charge of a failed side that had only had one in their previous 17 Tests and quickly turned their fortunes around, with a bolder approach guiding England to three straight wins against New Zealand and one against India.

On each occasion, England overhauled goals over 275 in the fourth innings with relative ease, as they chased a record 378 with seven wickets to spare against India at Edgbaston this week.

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Highlights from day five of the Fifth Test at Edgbaston as England secured a stunning seven-wicket win over India

While positivity was a central theme at the start of the McCullum era, the former New Zealand skipper, nicknamed ‘Baz’, insists there is a deeper thought behind the strategy.

“That’s why I don’t really like that silly term people are throwing out there,” McCullum said on SEN Radio.

“Because there’s actually quite a bit of thinking about how guys manufacture their performances and when they put pressure on bowlers and which bowlers they put pressure on.

“There are also times when they have absorbed the pressure beautifully.”

Former Australia captain Steve Smith wondered this week if England’s dynamism was sustainable and was heard by reporters shouting ‘Bazball’ during net practice ahead of a test against Sri Lanka.

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Former Australia captain Steve Smith says he is “intrigued” to see how long England’s aggressive new style of cricket, dubbed ‘Baz-ball’, will last.

While McCullum has been delighted with how the first part of his reign has gone, he knows tough tests lie ahead, with a tour of South Africa later this summer and Australia in ashes in 12 months.

“I certainly wouldn’t say we changed the face [of Test cricket]“, added McCullum.

“All we try to do is play a brand of cricket that gives the guys the greatest satisfaction and gives them the best opportunity. We also have an obligation to entertain.

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Kevin Pietersen gives his thoughts on the England Test team’s new style of play under manager Brendon McCullum

“It’s been a great month, [but] we know there are big challenges ahead, one of which will be the Aussie boys, but we just have to keep doing what we’re doing.

“Australia is a different challenge because of the history of the Ashes and the rivalry that exists there.

“I’m sure our guys will always try and maintain a really positive approach. I think the real key isn’t just crash and burn if we look at the approach the way the guys did.”