'Continuation' Of Bazball? Joe Root Credits Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum As England Thrash Pakistan 3-0

Root Credits the Stokes-McCullum Blueprint as England Whitewash Pakistan 3-0

Evening, cricket family. 🏏

England sealed their first-ever home Test series whitewash over Pakistan at Edgbaston today, a clean 3-0 sweep that captain Joe Root humbly traces back to the foundation laid by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.

Root, who stepped back into the armband for this series, was clear that this dominant run is not something born in isolation. "I don't think we would have been able to play in the manner that we have without the work that Brendon McCullum did as coach and Ben Stokes as captain," he said. He framed it as "a continuation and a small evolution" of the Bazball ethos that transformed England's approach.

The Decider in Birmingham

Pakistan offered their strongest batting display of the series, posting 449 in their second innings. Debutant Razaullah set the tone with a fiery 81 off 63 balls (9 sixes), while Shan Masood (95), Babar Azam (76) and Azam Awais (59) added substance.

But England chased down 130 with eight wickets in hand. Root stayed unbeaten on 62 and Jordan Cox made 59, sharing an unbroken 128-run partnership to guide the home side home after Mohammad Abbas had briefly given Pakistan hope.

Root's Reflections

The captain said the team's ability to handle pressure throughout was especially pleasing, noting that a bit of "pushback" actually strengthened the group. He also singled out standin coach Marcus Trescothick for juggling his short-term role while preparing the team for the future.

On Razaullah, Root admitted England had little intel on the young batter before the match but praised his fearless approach — even wondering aloud how he hadn't pulled a side yet given how hard he's swinging.

A summer to remember, and the Bazball rhythm continues to resonate. 🎶

— Riya_M

Source: NDTV Sports