Top 5 Legends who played Bazball before it even existed

Since their loss in the 2021-22 Ashes series against Australia, England has witnessed a number of changes in their Test format. One of the biggest changes has been the amount of aggression the new team has while playing the longest format of the game.

The Test format is known for its slow pace and batters taking time for selecting their shorts and targeting specific bowlers. Bowlers on the other hand take their time to understand the weakness of the batters and then attack them accordingly. However, England is now coming out with a completely different approach for the red-ball format and the new coach “Brendon McCullum has applied his Bazball approach to the team.

In this article, we have compiled a list of players who played “Bazball” cricket even before it was invented.

1) Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag tops the charts with his aggressive approach in the Test format. He was known for his higher average and strike rates in the red-ball format while playing for Team India. He would look to dominate the opposition by playing attacking shots and taking the initiative away from the bowlers. His positive mindset and fearless approach set him apart and made him a formidable opening batsman. Sehwag had a wide range of attacking shots in his repertoire. He was particularly strong in playing shots through the off-side, including the cut, drive, and the unforgettable uppercut over the slip cordon.

2) Shahid Afridi

The legend who took Pakistan’s cricket to the next level, Shahid Afridi, was known for his antics in international cricket. Afridi was known for his powerful hitting and ability to clear the boundaries with ease. He played an array of attacking shots, including big lofted shots, drives, and power cuts. Afridi’s ability to hit sixes at will made him a crowd favourite and added excitement to his batting. Afridi’s attacking approach translated into quick scoring rates. He could change the complexion of the game with his aggressive stroke play, scoring boundaries and accumulating runs rapidly.

3) Sir Vivian Richards

Sir Vivian Richards, the legendary West Indies cricketer, had a commanding and aggressive batting style in Test cricket. Richards was widely regarded as one of the most dominant batsmen of his era, and his unique approach revolutionized the game. Richards approached Test cricket with a sense of authority and dominance. He exuded confidence and had an imposing presence at the crease. Richards was not intimidated by any bowling attack and would often take the game to the opposition with his aggressive stroke play.

4) Adam Gilchrist

Gilchrist was known for his aggressive approach right from the beginning of his innings. As an opener or in the middle order, he would take the attack to the bowlers and put pressure on the opposition. Gilchrist’s aggressive intent meant he was always looking to score runs quickly and dominate the bowling. He had a unique ability to turn the game on its head with his counter-attacking style. When the team was in trouble or under pressure, he would often take the initiative and change the momentum of the game with aggressive stroke play.

5) Andrew Flintoff

Flintoff was known for his fighting spirit and determination as a batsman. He had the ability to dig deep and play long innings, especially in challenging conditions or against strong bowling attacks. Flintoff’s resilience and determination were reflected in his ability to perform well under pressure. He was known for his ability to hit boundaries regularly. He played a wide range of shots, including powerful drives, cuts, pulls, and lofted shots. Flintoff’s aggressive stroke play allowed him to find gaps in the field and score runs quickly, putting the fielding side on the back foot.