England’s Test record in Bazball regime

England’s recent Test record under the leadership of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum has been a subject of intense debate, especially following another disappointing Ashes campaign. England are 0-3 behind defeat in the Ashes 2025-26, with the series loss confirmed in Adelaide. The defeat once again highlighted England’s prolonged struggles in Australia, where they have not won a single Test since 2011 and have failed to retain the Ashes urn since 2015.

Stokes and McCullum took charge of the England Test record side in 2022, ushering in a bold new philosophy famously termed ‘Bazball.’ The approach emphasised fearless intent, aggressive batting and an attacking mindset both on and off the field. Initially, this philosophy delivered eye-catching results and revived interest in England’s red-ball cricket. However, consistency has remained a major issue, particularly in overseas conditions.

Under the Stokes-McCullum partnership, England have played 40 Test matches, winning 22 of them. While the win percentage appears respectable, the losses have often been heavy and concerning. England have frequently collapsed with the bat, especially away from home, and their ultra-aggressive style has at times backfired on slower or more bowler-friendly pitches. Their away record, in particular, has been underwhelming, with victories coming sporadically.

The Ashes 2025-26 further exposed these weaknesses. Prior to that, England also endured a tough home series against India, which ended in a 2-2 draw after all five matches went the distance. While England showed resilience and moments of brilliance, they failed to close out key games, raising questions about tactical flexibility and game management.

Despite producing high-scoring innings and remarkable run chases under Bazball, England have struggled to adapt their approach when conditions demand patience and discipline. This has led to growing scrutiny of both Stokes’ captaincy and McCullum’s coaching methods following the Ashes loss.

On the broader stage, England’s performances in the World Test Championship have been disappointing. They failed to qualify for the final in each of the first three editions, and their chances in the ongoing fourth edition remain slim. Moving forward, England will hope to strike a better balance to restore their standing as a dominant force in Test cricket.

Overall Record