England’s ‘Bazball’ approach has got in South Africa’s heads, claims Ben Stokes

‘The South African team keep saying they’re not interested but then also keep talking about it,’ says Ben Stokes on England’s attacking style. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images/Reuters

Ben Stokes has claimed on the eve of the first Test against South Africa that England’s ultra-positive approach to the format – commonly known as “Bazball” – has got into the heads of their opponents, even if the Proteas captain, Dean Elgar, continues to insist it is as likely to lead to embarrassment as glory.

Elgar had claimed previously to have “absolutely no interest in the style that they’ve played”, but in the home dressing room his words do not seem to have been taken at face value. “I guess the more you talk about something the more it is in your head,” Stokes said.