(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Former England all-rounder Ian Botham cited Bazball as the reason for Test cricket’s revival.
Bazball takes its name from England Test coach Brendon McCullum, who along with captain Ben Stokes, adopted an aggressive and attacking style of play in the longest-format of the game.
Referring to the ongoing India-England Test series, Botham stated that it is because of the Bazball that the stadiums have started to fill in for red-ball matches, something which he believes went missing after the advent of IPL.
“You just have to look at the crowds. The crowds are now starting to come back to Test cricket. Playing against India 20-30 years ago in India, the grounds were heaving. Suddenly, the IPL came along and so did one-day cricket and the crowds then plummeted. People are now coming back and wanting to see (Bazball),” Botham said as quoted to SENQ 693.
The England great further talked about how players are nothing but entertainers and must play like one as the audience no longer wants to see a team batting at low pace even in the Test format.
“You are entertainers at the end of the day and if you want people to come to the games, you have to entertain. They don’t want to see someone score 1.2 runs per hour, you want to see guys just boss the game.
“You are going to lose one or two games here or there but England have played 15 and won 12. England sells out games across all five days now which was just unheard of.
“Test cricket is now healthier than it has been for a long time,” stated Botham.
After winning the first Test in Hyderabad, England suffered a defeat in Visakhapatnam. With series levelled 1-1, the caravan will move to Rajkot for the third match, commencing on February 15.