ENG vs IND: It Is Not Really Baz Ball - Nasser Hussain After England's Victory In The 5th Test

England became the first team in Test cricket history to chase 250+ scores in four consecutive matches on Tuesday, as they successfully chased down 378, their highest-ever chase in the format, to defeat India by seven wickets at Edgbaston and tie the Pataudi Trophy series 2-2.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain was in awe of how the hosts’ new, attacking approach has marked their turnaround in Test cricket, calling four consecutive wins “unbelievable” and lavishing praise on second-innings centurions Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow for their unbroken 269-run stand that propelled England to victory.

No One Can Bowl To Jonny Bairstow And Joe Root At The Moment: Nasser Hussain

“This win over India was remarkable. To do it once is remarkable, to do it four times on the bounce is unbelievable, it really is. The form that Jonny Bairstow and Root are in – I can’t remember a pair of England cricketers being in such form for such a sustained period. I will be perfectly honest, it’s not really Bazball. The way they are playing is just what normal Root and Bairstow can do,” said Hussain after the match.

“They are not being reckless, not being stupid – have you seen either of them play a shot this summer where you think, ‘what have they done that for?’ Every time they have taken a risk, they have nailed it. They have been so smart, so sensible. You cannot bowl to those two at the moment. That’s how good they are. England have been outstanding and, more importantly, the crowds have watched this style of cricket and said ‘I am buying into this, it is wonderful’,” added Hussain.

Hussain also praised Stokes’s captaincy: “I have been impressed by some of the tactics and how he has handled spinner Jack Leach, some of the subtle tactics a viewer might not see on their TV screen. For example, for James Anderson and Stuart Broad he has mid-off and mid-on so straight and a cover but not a cover-point, saying to them ‘you are going to pitch the ball up as we are looking for wickets’.”

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