Test batting began changing long before Bazball and it’s not slowing down

It has sparked debate from the outset. Since its emergence in 2022, some have dismissed it with scorn, while others have embraced it as a much-needed spark for Test cricket. However, Bazball – England’s entertain-at-all-costs approach – hasn’t just redefined their style of play; it reflects a broader shift in the way Tests are played, one that looks set to shape the format for years to come.

Across teams, the art of batting in Tests is heading in a clear direction. Whether it’s Rohit Sharma breaking free at the top, a young Jacob Bethell being thrown in as an aggressor, Rachin Ravindra showcasing his free-flowing strokeplay, or Travis Head doing his thing, counterpunching is now more valued than ever. England may be the loudest advocates of this approach, but the transformation is widespread.

And the numbers prove it. This decade’s overall batting strike-rate is the highest since the 1900s, while the average is at its lowest in 70 years. This isn’t an anomaly – the two metrics have been moving in opposite directions for three decades. It shows that even as batters score fewer runs, their attacking intent continues to grow.

A new breed of batters

“This shift in approach is something I’ve seen firsthand,” former England spinner Monty Panesar told Sports Gazette.

“In the past, batters had to settle in before playing shots. Now, they are encouraged to attack from the start. If a team is struggling, they would rather have a batter counterattack than block their way out of trouble. You see it across teams like England, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, and South Africa – batting lineups have become far more aggressive than before.

“The type of player getting picked has also changed. It’s not just about having a perfect technique anymore; selectors now look for batters with quick hands and strong weight transfer, skills honed in T20 cricket. Take New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips, he might not have the most traditional technique, but his power and hand speed make him dangerous. Players like Bethell and Phillips are now seen as valuable in Test cricket too.”

Playing aggressively hasn’t hindered teams’ success. In fact, there’s every reason to believe it has fueled it. This decade, Australia rank just behind England in runs scored per over, yet their win/loss ratio remains significantly higher than the rest of the competition. The trend holds historically, too. In the 2010s, India maintained the highest win/loss ratio while also recording the highest scoring rate. The same pattern emerged in the 2000s, when Australia dominated both metrics.

The silent game-changer

The steady decline in batting averages can also be attributed to better planning and disciplined execution by bowlers. Over the past three decades, the strike-rate and average for both pacers and spinners have consistently improved, making scoring tougher.

Pace bowlers have shown a sharper improvement, with their strike-rate dropping from 62.5 in the 2000s to 53 in the 2020s, while their average has fallen from 33.2 to 28.5. Spinners have also become more effective, reducing their strike-rate from 73.1 to 61.1 and their average from 35.8 to 32.5.

“Coaching has changed too,” former India wicketkeeper and selector Saba Karim told Sports Gazette.

“Now, you’ve got head coaches, batting coaches, analysts – all helping players keep up with the modern game. Cricket, like any sport, was bound to evolve. Bowlers have more variations now, they’re always looking to attack, and that’s made the game faster and more unpredictable. Honestly, I really like it.”

Fast-paced cricket, fast-paced Tests

Relentless limited-overs cricket has also had an undeniable impact. With lucrative leagues everywhere and T20 World Cups seemingly always on the horizon, batters are now more inclined to play high-risk shots than grind out long innings.

“T20 cricket has completely changed the way the game is played,” said Panesar.

“Teams now favor an exciting, attacking style because it attracts fans and boosts TV deals. Instead of just picking players with big first-class numbers, selectors now ask, ‘How can this guy change a game?’ Young players are realising that excelling in T20 could be their best shot at a Test career.”

Arguably the biggest positive of this batting evolution is the sharp rise in results in Test cricket. The percentage of drawn matches has declined rapidly over the past four decades, with the 2020s recording the lowest proportion of drawn Tests since the 1900s.

Aggression defines the game now

Test cricket’s relevance and survival have been debated for years. But the infusion of shorter-format aggression into the longest format might be the match-winning twist that reshapes its future. As players embrace a fearless, attacking style, this evolution may be the very thing that reinvigorates and secures the purest form of the game.

“All three formats have made cricket more exciting because players take lessons from each one,” added Karim.

“The ones who can adapt are the ones who succeed, especially batters. These days, if you want to do well in T20s and ODIs, you have to up your strike-rate. Rule changes have pushed that too. Like in ODIs, where five fielders have to stay inside the circle between overs 11 and 40. That forces batters to be more aggressive, and once that style becomes instinctive, it naturally spills over into Test cricket. That’s why the pace of batting has picked up across the board.

“Scores in limited-overs cricket have shot up, and that’s made Test matches way more exciting, with more results. Sure, averages have dropped, but that’s because players are focused on scoring quickly to help their teams win. Gone are the days when someone would bat just to get their century and settle for a draw.”

Note: All statistics in this piece are sourced from ESPNcricinfo and are based on data up to December 31, 2024.