England’s Test side didn’t look like winning a match when Joe Root stood down as captain three months ago.
They hadn’t tasted victory since the previous August – a run stretching nine games – and suffered 11 defeats following their series win in Sri Lanka in January 2021. Fast forward to today, however, and England look unstoppable under new captain Ben Stokes.
They’ve won four consecutive Tests against New Zealand and India – the two nations that contested the World Test Championship Final last summer – by chasing down targets of 277, 299, 296 and 378. The latter is England’s highest successful run chase in history.
Yet it’s the manner of those victories that’s really impressed critics. England have successfully chased big targets with ease thanks to their attacking style of play, believing they can chase any target and entrusting their most accomplished batters to do the job.
Root, who’s become the world’s leading Test batter since relinquishing the captaincy, has already scored three centuries this summer, while Jonny Bairstow has blasted his way to four. It’s a philosophy that’s rarely been seen in the Test arena, championed by new coach Brendon McCullum and dubbed ‘Bazball’ by the media.
It’s also impressed former England bowler Harry Gurney, who knows a fair bit about entertaining cricket. The Nottinghamshire legend was one of the world’s best franchise cricketers before his retirement last year after achieving success in the IPL, BBL and CPL.
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“It’s thrilling, isn’t it?” Gurney tells Mirror Sport . “It’s the way to play all formats of cricket these days – never take a backwards step. Eoin Morgan and Trevor Bayliss installed that [philosophy] in the white-ball set-up and now we’re seeing it in the Test set-up. For England fans – and for cricket fans around the world – it’s very exciting.
“They’ve probably made that much of a splash around the world, other countries will follow suit. Some won’t and they might start to underperform… that’s the ebb and flow of international sport, I suppose. These sorts of phases come and go.
“We could argue that for a few years in white-ball cricket, we were a little bit behind everyone else and then we caught up and started leading the way. Hopefully that’s now going to happen in Test cricket.”
Gurney is also excited by the appointment of Jos Buttler as white-ball captain. The wicketkeeper succeeded Eoin Morgan, who guided England to ODI World Cup glory in 2019, last month. Gurney is confident England can continue challenging for honours under Buttler.
“It’s an absolute no-brainer. Him and Morgy are very close. Jos is a hugely respected player in the world of cricket, arguably the best white-ball player in the world. He’s respected by cricketers of all nationalities but none more so than the English.
“He’s a leader within the changing room, he’s intelligent and he’s calm under pressure. All of those skills and attributes are things Morgy had. It feels like a natural succession.
“Morgy wasn’t a guy that would scream and shout much in the changing room and I don’t think Jos will be either. My view is in the modern-day game, that’s not the way forward anyway. You’ve got to be calm under pressure and try to keep that changing room as relaxed as possible.”
This summer will see the return of The Hundred, a new 100-ball competition that’s divided cricket fans in England. The city-based tournament has been praised for attracting new fans and boosting the profile of the women’s game, yet others are concerned about the impact it will have on England’s traditional county structure.
Gurney, who was set to be one of the stars of The Hundred before the inaugural tournament was delayed a year due to the Covid pandemic, is looking forward to this year’s edition.
“I’m very excited about The Hundred. I think that kind of competition in this country – city-based, almost franchise-style like the Big Bash [in Australia] – was really overdue. I’m delighted it’s finally here.
“I’ve actually had two contracts in it and never bowled a ball! One year I was meant to be with the Trent Rockets and then I moved to the Manchester Originals, but then I retired.
“But I’m really excited about the second edition of that, I think it will build on last year’s edition. The oversees players will probably be stronger this year and I can’t wait to watch it unfold.”
Gurney is also excited for the climax of the T20 Blast with Finals Day taking place on July 16. “It’s been nice to be involved a little bit with Sky Sports this year commentating… it’s a great competition. It’s a perfect build-up in a lot of ways to The Hundred and gives the guys an opportunity to go out there and get prepared, but also to fight for one of those Wildcard picks.”
