If you’re a cricket lover and follow cricket as a passion, then you would know that in the history of cricket, there have been many players who can adjust to any format easily. Be it T20, ODI or test, they perform very well with ease.

One such player is Brendon McCullum, Cricket coach, commentator and former cricketer representing New Zealand who played all formats, including as captain for the Black caps. McCullum was renowned for his quick scoring, notably recording the fastest century of all time.

Since Brendon McCullum took over as England’s Test Coach, a term has been associated with the former Kiwi player and that is ‘Bazball’.

England has been in fine form this summer. So far the team won all four test matches they have played, Coach McCullum, nicknamed ‘Baz’, and captain Ben Stokes have made a formidable partnership in the longest format of the game. Under them, the Three Lions have played an attacking brand of cricket which the English press has labelled as ‘Bazball’.

The term became even more evident after England chased down a record of 378 with 7 wickets to spare against India last week. Soon it sparked support for what has now been labelled ‘Bazball’.

Since the beginning of India Vs. England Test Series, the term ‘Bazball’ has been trending and garnered a lot of attention over social media sites and print.

Let’s see what is Bazball and all the hype about the term.

What is ‘Bazball’, the new cricketing term doing the rounds?

Bazball is the term coined for the Test side’s transformational display in the longest format of the game ever since McCullum took over the role.  McCullum and now, Test skipper Ben Stokes used the ‘Bazball’ move to modify their playing style in the red-ball format.

So, what is Bazball? In literal terms, ‘Bazball’ is the no-holds-barred strategy. It gives players the freedom of speech and lets them have a win-at-all-costs approach. McCullum who goes by the title “Baz,” inspired the name.

However, the man himself says he’s not a fan of the term. He says that the new buzzword is “silly”.

“I don’t have any idea what ‘Bazball’ is. It’s not just all crash and burn, if you look at the approach, and that’s why I don’t really like that silly term that people are throwing out there.”

“Because there’s actually quite a bit of thought that goes into how the guys manufacture their performances and when they put pressure on bowlers and which bowlers they put pressure on. There’s also times where they’ve absorbed pressure beautifully as well,” McCullum told SEN radio.

Former Australia captain Steve Smith last week questioned whether England’s dynamism is sustainable and was overheard shouting ‘Bazball’ in the net session ahead of a Test against Sri Lanka.

While McCullum has been overjoyed at how the early part of his reign has unfolded, he knows stiff tests await, with South Africa touring later this summer while Australia will be in England to contest the Ashes series in 12 months’ time.

“I certainly wouldn’t say that we’ve changed the face (of Test cricket),” McCullum added.

“All we try and do is play a brand of cricket which gives the guys the greatest amount of satisfaction and gives them the best opportunity. We’ve also got an obligation to entertain.