Batting wickets to short boundaries: Bazball tactics in ENG vs IND Tests

Business Standard

a day ago

Ben Stokes-led English cricket team is leaving no stone unturned to ensure their success against India in the ongoing five-match Test series. They are coming up with creative methods to gain the upper hand. Before the start of the second Test between the two sides at Edgbaston, Birmingham, boundary ropes were pulled significantly inward—much more than during previous fixtures at the venue. This wasn't a minor adjustment; it was a move aimed at amplifying their ultra-aggressive brand of cricket.
In keeping with the Bazball ethos—high-risk, high-reward batting designed to overwhelm opponents and manipulate match tempo—England looked to engineer conditions that would play into their strengths. Also, before the match, it was discussed that Edgbaston is not an easy wicket to bat on as it has historically favoured the bowlers, but when the match began, it was clear the wicket was nothing similar to what it has historically been. This could also be one of the reasons why England chose to chase instead of bat first after winning the toss.
The shorter boundaries, aggressive shot-making, and preference to bowl first all pointed to a side that isn't merely reacting to the opposition but scripting the game on their own terms.
England's engineered outfield
In a move that raised eyebrows and strategic intrigue, match officials confirmed that no boundary at Edgbaston exceeded 71 yards (64.9 metres) from the pitch, with some edges—particularly from the Pavilion to the West Stand—shrinking to as little as 65 yards. These distances sit at the lower limit of ICC regulations, which mandate a minimum boundary of 65 yards and a maximum of 90.
Unused space between the ropes and LED boards near the Hollies Stand further exposed the deliberate nature of the adjustment. Though ICC playing conditions require boundaries to remain fixed throughout the game, they also note that pre-match consultations occur between umpires and the "home board"—in this case, effectively the England camp. While not stated directly, the input likely stemmed from captain Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, with the head groundsman executing the final setup.
Asked about how instructions were relayed, Stokes suggested that England simply provide as much information as possible to create conditions aligned with their preferred style of cricket.
The psychology of rope length
The decision wasn't just about clearing the fence—it was about mental manipulation. A shorter boundary can tempt batters into false strokes, enticing them to go aerial with more regularity. Rishabh Pant's dismissal exemplified the trap: after launching one six, he was baited into repeating the shot and ended up offering a catch to Zak Crawley at long-on. The celebration that followed hinted at pre-planned execution.
This is not unfamiliar territory for England. In the 2005 Ashes, similar tweaks were made to boundaries to aid their batters in countering Shane Warne. There were risks, as Australia's big hitters—like Kevin Pietersen—thrived in the same conditions. Pietersen smashed eight sixes off Warne during that iconic series, and Australia had their own say in exploiting shorter square boundaries.
Not your usual Edgbaston wicket
Historically, the wicket at Edgbaston used to help the pace bowlers with swing and uneven bounce during the first few days of the match, before slowly flattening over time. If there was an overcast situation, it used to be all-out pace for the pacers. But the wicket for the India vs England second Test is nothing like what it used to be, as since the start of Day 1, batters have found it easy to score runs, and as time has passed, it is looking more and more batting-friendly.
While we are yet to see overcast conditions during the ongoing match, how the game has played out so far makes it highly unlikely to change the situation significantly.
This is also one of the moves the new culture of English cricket is adopting to favour their batting-heavy line-up.
Toss logic: Bowling first to chase with clarity
Another consistent feature of England's Bazball-era thinking has been Stokes' frequent choice to bowl first after winning the toss—especially in home Tests. At Edgbaston, this trend continued, marking the ninth time in ten home Tests he opted to field first.
The rationale behind this move often lies in pitch behaviour and match dynamics. Unlike rank turners or deteriorating fifth-day surfaces that demand setting a target, English pitches typically retain enough life or offer consistent bounce into Day 4 and Day 5. For England, this means backing themselves to chase under pressure, rather than risk collapsing in a third innings against reverse swing or spin.