Joe Root’s tendency to fall victim to leg‑before‑wicket appeals and England’s inability to turn solid starts into full centuries were the only blemishes on an otherwise brighter post‑Bazball batting display, according to former captain Nasser Hussain. In the third Test at Edgbaston, England piled together a massive 453 runs, establishing a first‑innings lead of 320 over Pakistan. The hosts were firmly in command and appeared well on their way to a 3‑0 series whitewash.
Pakistan, meanwhile, were 52 for 2 and still 268 runs behind when rain interrupted play, leaving the match hanging in the balance. "I’ve really enjoyed the tempo of the batting in this series," Hussain said. "We talked early on in the Bazball era about England playing too hard and missing chances. Here they have found the right rhythm, especially in the middle order with Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Dan Lawrence and Gus Atkinson." He added that even the seamers‑turned‑batsmen such as Josh Tongue and Jofra Archer were contributing useful runs, and praised the opening pair for their measured approach.
"Emilio Gay sets the tone at the top. He knows when to take time and when to absorb pressure. English cricket, and this side in particular, have been crying out for that kind of composure," Hussain continued.
Despite the many positives, Hussain singled out two persistent issues that England have yet to resolve in the Pakistan series. First, Root’s four dismissals have all come via LBW. The world’s second‑most prolific Test run‑scorer is still wrestling with that particular mode of dismissal. "Obviously there are two boxes they haven’t ticked," Hussain explained.
"Their greatest player is struggling with one specific type of dismissal: LBW. It’s so obvious he’s struggling. He tried to fix it in the first innings, made a technical tweak, and then got out LBW again." Second, England’s conversion rate from fifties to hundreds has hit historic lows. Brook (75), Smith (69), Lawrence (65), Gay (60) and Ollie Robinson (50) have all crossed the half‑century mark without pushing on to three figures.
In total, 14 half‑centuries have been recorded across the series without a single century – a feat not seen in a Test series in England since the 1888 Ashes. "The other one is getting hundreds," Hussain added. "You can beat Pakistan with 40s, 50s and 60s.
To beat Australia or the New Zealand side we saw earlier in the summer, you need big hundreds and massive scores. England just need to convert those starts into big scores." Former England bowler Stuart Broad echoed the sentiment, suggesting that the definition of a “good” score may need to be revisited after a scorching summer that has favoured bowlers. Broad argued that on the current pitches, a score in the sixties can be as valuable as a century on flatter surfaces. "Top‑order batting has been very difficult in this series," Broad said.
"Root, England’s best‑ever player, has struggled for runs in this series. If he’s struggling, it’s OK for everyone else to struggle. We can’t praise the likes of Ollie Robinson, who is taking 20‑odd wickets at an average of around six, and also say, ‘We should be getting more centuries.’ To be honest, this summer a 60 has felt like a hundred.
You’ve had to work as hard for a 60 on these pitches as you would for a hundred on a normal Test surface." The lack of centuries has sparked a broader conversation about the nature of batting in the Bazball era. While the aggressive, free‑scoring philosophy has produced brisk run rates and exciting partnerships, critics argue that the approach may sometimes sacrifice the patience required to build mammoth totals.
Hussain believes the balance can be struck: maintain the positive intent and tempo, but add a layer of concentration to see innings through to the 100‑run mark. In practical terms, this means players like Root need to refine his foot‑work and line‑of‑vision against straight deliveries that target the pads, while the middle order should focus on rotating the strike and extending partnerships beyond the 70‑run plateau. Coaches are likely to work on specific drills that simulate LBW scenarios, helping batsmen recognise the subtle differences between a defensive block and an overly‑forward stance that invites the umpire’s decision. Meanwhile, the England camp will also look at the mental aspect of conversion.
The pressure of reaching a century can be psychological; players may unconsciously tighten up once they pass the fifty‑run mark. Sports psychologists could be brought in to reinforce a growth mindset, reminding batsmen that the same aggressive intent that produced quick starts should continue unabated. As the series progresses, the next Test will provide a crucial litmus test.
If England can turn at least one of the recent half‑centuries into a genuine hundred, it will validate the adjustments and quiet the critics. Conversely, a continued drought could prompt a reassessment of the Bazball blueprint, perhaps integrating more traditional, grind‑based innings into the game plan. Fans can catch the ongoing action on Sky Sports Cricket, with live coverage of day three of the third Test scheduled to begin at 10:15 am on Friday.
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