Bazball becomes Bazbrawl as outlandish Joe Root dismissal triggers England collapse

Bazball has become Bazbrawl, with England copping instant and hostile feedback after brazen shot selection burnt Joe Root badly in India, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

It’s on. Bazball has become Bazbrawl.

That moment when the tightrope walker tries a daring backflip and tumbles face first into the net is upon us and the fallout is not pretty.

English captain Ben Stokes’ revolutionary attack at all costs philosophy has reached its first major challenge following Joe Root’s ghastly reverse sweep to slip off the great Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah who, the averages tell us, is one of the most dangerous fast bowlers to have played the game.

The feedback was instant and hostile ... and it keeps coming.

As India’s batsmen raced to a near invincible position in the third Test at Rajkot after England’s post-Root collapse, crowd-charming Bazball was facing its most gruelling inquisition.

Stokes insists that while he is at the helm there will be no turning back or unfastening of the sabres.

But what about some tinkering? We shall see.

Jasprit Bumrah celebrates the dismissal of Joe Root. Picture: Punit Paranjpe/AFP

The most experienced cricket writer in the world, The London Telegraph’s Scyld Berry said “it (Root’s shot) has to rank – and rank is the operative word – as the worst, most stupid shot in the history of the game.’’

That from a man who has seen more than 250 Tests live.

Former Test great Geoff Boycott said Root looked like a “complete chump.’’

Some observers, like broadcaster Piers Morgan, defended England’s style, promoting Michael Vaughan to say such claims were “utter rubbish.’’

Former spinner Phil Tufnell said Root’s general batting style was never made for Bazball and he should have been the one proven Test class player left to play his natural game.

But that only triggered a statistical blowback on social media where it was pointed out he averages around 50 on both sides of Bazball – but quicker doing it this way.

Utter rubbish piers .. the skipper doesn’t Bazball .. he plays the situation .. Joe is far too good to gift India such a cheap wicket 20 mins into a crucial day when they are down to 10 players .. Sport is about changing styles at the right time .. https://t.co/e5mTxriTFq

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 17, 2024

The interesting theme to follow from this is whether England concede they need to bat more in second and third rather than fourth gear.

India were a man down with spinner Ravi Ashwin withdrawing from the Test due to personal reasons.

Surely this was the time to put the foot on the throat not to play around with fire crackers that could blow up at any time.

But Root scorched his tyres, and the Test and probably the series have gone up in smoke.

Was he being the ultimate team man or just plain silly? Or both?

England say their Bazball style has made them enjoy the game again and there have been some genuinely great moments.

But who enjoys throwing away a Test?

The tough thing for England is they are just halfway through what could be a brutal five Test series if things don’t improve in a hurry.

Originally published as Bazball becomes Bazbrawl as outlandish Joe Root dismissal triggers England collapse