England chief offers new 'Bazball' definition as Stokes and McCullum hailed

17 April 2023 , 10:14

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Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have led a stunning revival of England's Test team (Image: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

England chief Rob Key has previously said he is not a fan of the 'Bazball' term that has been used to describe the Test team's stunning revival under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.

Stokes and McCullum have got England playing positive and aggressive Test cricket and have guided them to ten wins in 12 games against the likes of New Zealand, India, South Africa and Pakistan.

However, Key felt the use of 'Bazball' to describe England's new style of play "devalues what Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have done", relegating it to "'oh, we're just going to go out there and look to be positive and play a few shots'".

And in a new interview with the Times, Key has offered an alternative definition for 'Bazball', revealing Stokes and McCullum's biggest strength since taking over last summer has been their exceptional man management

"It wasn't really about winning or losing, but getting players to maximise their potential," Key explained, having been the man tasked with finding England's next captain and coach when he was appointed Managing Director of England Men's Cricket in April.

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"We've now got a clear way of playing, which makes selection easier, too. It's not about scoring at six an over all the time, but players need to have the ability to both soak up pressure and put bowlers under pressure as well.

England chief Rob Key has hailed Stokes and McCullum's man management skills (Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

"The tactical element is where they are brilliant those two; they've got such a good feel for the game. Most captains and coaches are all over you when you are doing well and then nowhere when you are struggling; these two are the opposite.

"They know what to say to someone who is struggling. I remember listening to Mike Brearley once talking about [Ian] Botham and him saying Beefy was easy to read because he was either up or down, but the quiet guy in the corner was the difficult one.

"Brendon and Ben are aware of the quiet bloke in the corner. That's what I think the 'Bazball' thing is really."

Matthew Cooper