Follow UsSince May 2022, England’s red-ball cricket has changed massively, with 16 wins out of 23 games. But their aggressive brand of cricket is such that it has also gone wrong, at times.
One of those losses came earlier in the five-match Test series against India, where they lost by 336 runs in Birmingham. Now, they are staring at yet another defeat, in the third Test at Lord’s on day five. What are the other embarrassing losses at home for England in the Bazball era?
Just months after "Bazball" got off to a blazing start, England faced a significant roadblock in the form of a touring South African side. In the first of a three-match Test series at Lord's, Dean Elgar's team handed them a comprehensive defeat.
After being put in to bat, England were blown away early, losing four wickets for just 55 runs. While Ollie Pope's 73 helped them reach 165, it proved futile as the Proteas amassed 326. England's second innings offered little resistance, and they ultimately lost the match by an innings and 12 runs, with Kagiso Rabada starring with figures of 7/79.
England's most embarrassing loss in the "Bazball" era occurred in Birmingham, where they suffered a colossal 336-run defeat at a venue they considered a fortress.
Indian skipper Shubman Gill thoroughly dominated England, amassing 430 runs across both innings. India posted commanding totals of 587 and 427/6 declared. In response, England's batting efforts were inadequate, managing only 407 and 271 runs, falling well short.
With the series at 2-0, it was expected that Bazball were going to whitewash Sri Lanka in the third at The Oval. However, that backfired spectacularly, leading to an embarrassment.
In that Test, England scored 325, and looked strong before Sri Lanka’s lower-order put up a spirited display to get to 263. However, that’s where Lahiru Kumara turned up the heat, with his 4/21 blowing England away for just 156.
Pathum Nissanka’s 127, coupled with Kusal Mendis’ 39, were enough for an eight-wicket win, as Bazball incredibly backfired.