England’s new era in Test cricket under skipper Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum has taken the cricketing world by storm a few months ago. They first whitewashed New Zealand 3-0 and then thrashed India by 7 wickets to win the rescheduled Test that was postponed last year due to Covid-19.
With the same attacking approach, termed as ‘Bazball’, England also registered a 2-1 series victory over South Africa despite losing the first Test.
Reflecting on the home season, in which England won six out of their seven Tests, veteran batter Joe Root warned the opponents that they are no "one-trick pony."
"We're not just a one-trick pony," Root said, as quoted by AFP. "There's always going to be periods in Test cricket that you have to manage well and smartly.
"We've not got it right every time this summer but we've got it right more often than not and that's why we're sat here with six (wins) out of seven (Tests).
"We're definitely not the finished article but to see the strides we've made in such a short space of time has been really a breath of fresh air."
Under the new regime, England chased down 275-plus totals in the fourth innings of all three Tests against New Zealand while they pulled off their highest chase against India, reaching the target of 378 with ease.
According to Root, the team's progress under Stokes is similar to the transformation of England's white-ball cricket under former skipper Eoin Morgan.
"I've never had more fun playing professional cricket," said Root. "Honestly, it is hard to put into words. You turn up every day and you're very excited about what's going to happen. It's the unknown.
"It's quite a strange feeling to have played 120-odd games still to have that feeling when you turn up every day. It's a really good place to be.
"Keeps you very hungry and motivated. You can bounce off the energy of everybody else who is in the same mindset."
(With AFP inputs)
