England trying to win, not be entertainers: Steve Smith sees evolution in Bazball
Australia’s Steve Smith believes that England have tweaked their much-talked-about “Bazball” approach during their ongoing Test series in India.
Speaking to the BBC, the former Australian captain remarked that the English team appear to be playing more for results now rather than simply entertaining fans.
“They have started to play a little bit differently in the last couple of weeks in terms of playing the situation, as opposed to going out and trying to be the entertainers that they said they wanted to be,” Smith noted.
“They are actually trying towin the games now, which is perhaps different to what was said in their comments previously,” he added.
Under head coach Brendon McCullum, England’s aggressive and free-flowing style of play – dubbed “Bazball” – quickly became a hot topic in world cricket. The philosophy helped reinvigorate England’s Test fortunes at home, but critics have questioned its long-term success, especially against top-tier sides in tough conditions.
While England have impressed in home series, their performances overseas – particularly in the subcontinent – have been more inconsistent. The bigger question looming over Bazball has been its viability in major contests against strong opponents, particularly in the context of the World Test Championship (WTC).
Since the WTC’s inception, England have yet to reach a final. In contrast, New Zealand won the inaugural edition in 2021, while Australia secured the title in 2023. India, meanwhile, have reached the final twice – a testament to their consistency at the highest level.
However, thecurrent WTC cyclehas offered renewed hope for England. Their performance in the India series – especially if it ends in a rare away series win – could serve as a major stepping stone ahead of the Ashes later this year. England have not held the Ashes since 2015, and McCullum’s side will be desperate to reverse that trend.
For now, Smith’s comments reflect what many observers have begun to notice – that England’s red-ball side may finally be striking a balance between fearless cricket and situational awareness, a combination that might just help them go the distance in the WTC and beyond.
