England is seriously trying to change how they play the game. More specifically, they started their white-ball revolution under Eoin Morgan and Trevor Bayliss in 2015 and have been extremely aggressive in Test cricket ever since.
They are the first men’s team to win both the 50-over World Cup and the T20 World Cup in the same season thanks to the second of the two. However, with their Test team in disarray, the appointment of Brendon McCullum as their coach in the format and Ben Stokes as captain has marked the beginning of what is regarded as a new era.
England brought their aggressive brand to Pakistan after a successful summer at home, and they set an early precedent with a famous victory. On a lifeless deck in Rawalpindi, the visitors did everything in their power to make things happen and get what they wanted.
There is some debate as to whether or not they might alter the game’s rules, particularly in Test cricket. There are three possible explanations for why they might be doing so:
#1 Could lead to a more aggressive style of Test cricket
The England team led by McCullum and Stokes is not the first to play an attacking style of cricket. There is absolutely no way to deny that a number of teams have done it over the years.
But for this time period, they might be the first to play the format in a different way. Who might have thought about a score of more than 500 sudden spikes in demand for the first day of the season, quit worrying about the surface being a harmless one? Naturally, the day conditions are more difficult, decreasing the likelihood of such an event occurring.
Having said that, under the Stokes-McCullum regime, England is taking the game by the horns. Other teams will unavoidably have to match fire with fire and may employ a similar counterplot if they maintain this against any opponent, regardless of the circumstances.
It will be interesting to see if this eventually becomes ingrained in Test cricket as a whole.
#2 Four-day Tests could become a common occurrence
For a long time, it has been a contentious issue to combine Test cricket with the slam-bang frenzy of Twenty20 cricket. The World Test Championship has enhanced the format and reduced the number of drawn Tests in recent years.
However, England’s approach to the format may result in a contest concluding well ahead of schedule. In the past, four-day Tests have also been discussed, but England’s strategy may result in contests concluding in four days.
With a relentless international calendar to contend with, there is a possibility that four-day tests could become a regular occurrence if that becomes the norm.
Although there are ifs and buts attached to it, England’s strategy and a possible altered landscape may prompt serious consideration.
#3 More players with a variety of skills could develop
England chose a team with serious doubts about its ability to win a Test with 20 wickets. Although time will shed more light on its sustainability, they have been vindicated for doing so in Rawalpindi.
However, in order to achieve a higher success rate, their high-risk strategy requires a greater safety net. To put things in perspective even further, bowlers who can be more than a handful with the bat could maintain a high scoring rate without worrying about running out of ammunition.
If this template is followed, this could automatically result in more bowling all-rounders and give the team more options. Players from other teams may take inspiration from England’s direct approach to Test cricket and emulate it.
All things considered, this will undoubtedly bring their stock up in white-ball cricket as well, should that occur.