​The Bazball era has come to an end. Captain Ben Stokes announced the close of his England career during a series defeat to New Zealand in early July, and head coach Brendon McCullum was sacked on Sunday after seven losses in nine Tests. England, under their leadership duo, have both thrilled and infuriated supporters with a bold playing style and a method of footballing cricket that has divided fans and pundits alike. Regardless of individual opinions, the period has been undeniably memorable, and we’ve highlighted some of the standout moments—good and bad—from the McCullum years.
Jonny Bairstow’s explosive form loomed large in a match that helped set the tone for the era. When McCullum and the new captain Stokes took over a team that had won only one of its previous 17 Tests, they began with a victory over New Zealand at Lord’s, signaling a fresh approach. Yet it was the second Test of that series that revealed the telltale swagger of this England side. With 299 required to win in 72 overs on day five at Trent Bridge, England slipped to 93-4, and the prospect of a draw appeared the best outcome. Bairstow and Stokes steadied the ship, taking England to 139-4 at tea, but a late collapse seemed possible.
In the evening session, Bairstow unleashed a sensational onslaught, hammering 14 fours and seven sixes to reach a 77-ball hundred, just one ball slower than Gilbert Jessop’s enduring England Test record. Bairstow eventually made 136 from 92 balls, while Stokes remained and slammed the winning boundary to seal victory with 22 overs to spare. It was a display that hinted at the potential of Bazball at its boldest.
Bairstow’s momentum continued as England completed a 3-0 series win over New Zealand less than a month later, with Bairstow contributing another substantial innings as part of a formidable batting lineup. Although James Anderson claimed five wickets and Bairstow scored a first-innings hundred, England faced a challenging target in the rearranged fifth Test against India—their target of 378 to win after 107-0 had become 109-3. It was a record total England had never chased in Tests, yet Zak Crawley and Alex Lees built a solid 100-plus stand to give them a glimmer of hope.
However, two wickets from Jasprit Bumrah and a run-out threatened to derail the chase. Enter two of Yorkshire’s finest: an unbroken partnership of 269 between Joe Root and Bairstow that propelled England to victory in a high-stakes finish. Root ended on 142 not out, and Bairstow remained unbeaten on 114, his second century of the match, as the pair pushed the run-rate above five an over to leave Bumrah and his team in disbelief. The victory was monumental: a dramatic win that denied India a first Test series win in England since 2007 and demonstrated what Bazball could achieve at its best.
The first overseas test of the McCullum era—England’s return visit to Pakistan after 17 years—produced perhaps the most memorable moment of all. England clinched victory late on day five, underscoring the audacious, game-changing character of their approach. It was a defining banner for the era, a reminder that this team was embracing a fearless, attacking style that could produce both matches of astonishing quality and moments of controversy.
As the era progressed, it became clear that Bazball’s hallmark was a willingness to gamble, a collective belief in aggressive, results-focused cricket, and a readiness to redefine what England could achieve against the sport’s strongest sides. Some matches delivered pure exhilaration, others exposed vulnerabilities, and the debates around the method persisted. Yet, there was no doubt that the McCullum-Stokes leadership left an indelible stamp on English cricket—memorable for the energy and the drama it generated, and for the unmistakable fingerprint it left on the national team’s identity.