Joe Root’s recurring vulnerability to leg‑before‑wicket dismissals and England’s inability to turn solid starts into full centuries were the only blemishes on an otherwise improved post‑Bazball batting display, according to former captain Nasser Hussain. In the third Test at Edgbaston, England piled up a massive 453 runs in their first innings, building a commanding lead of 320 over Pakistan.
The hosts were firmly in the driver’s seat and appeared set to complete a 3‑0 series whitewash when rain interrupted play with Pakistan at 52‑2, still trailing by 268 runs. "I’ve really enjoyed the tempo of the batting in this series," Hussain said.
"When we first talked about Bazball, the worry was that England might be playing too aggressively and missing chances. What we’re seeing now is a much better rhythm, especially in the middle order with Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Dan Lawrence and Gus Atkinson." He added that even bowlers such as Josh Tongue and Jofra Archer have been contributing useful runs, and praised the top‑order approach of Emilio Gay.
"Gay plays with a calm tempo, he knows when to defend and when to attack. That balance has been missing from English cricket for a long time and this side finally seems to have found it." Despite the overall positivity, Hussain pinpointed two lingering issues that England must resolve before the series concludes.
First, Root’s four dismissals in the match have all come via LBW. The world’s second‑most prolific Test run‑scorer continues to wrestle with that specific mode of dismissal. "Obviously there are two boxes they haven’t ticked," Hussain explained.
"Their premier batsman is struggling with one particular way of getting out – LBW. It’s glaringly obvious. He tried to make a technical adjustment after the first innings, but the problem resurfaced in the second innings." Second, the team’s century drought has reached historic proportions. Brook (75), Smith (69), Lawrence (65), Gay (60) and Ollie Robinson (50) have all crossed the fifty‑run mark without converting to a hundred.
In total, 14 half‑centuries have been recorded across the series, yet not a single century has been produced – a feat not seen in an English Test series since the 1888 Ashes. "The other missing piece is the ability to reach hundreds," Hussain added.
"You can beat Pakistan with scores in the 40s, 50s and 60s, but to compete with Australia or the New Zealand side we faced earlier this summer, you need big hundreds and massive totals. England simply need to turn 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 reassessed after a scorching summer that has favoured bowlers. Broad argued that, on the current pitches, a score of 60 can be as valuable as a century on a flatter surface. "Top‑order batting has been extremely challenging in this series," Broad said.
"Root, England’s best‑ever player, has struggled for runs. If he’s finding it hard, it’s understandable that the rest of the batting line‑up also faces difficulties. We can’t applaud Ollie Robinson for taking 20‑plus wickets at an average of around six and then complain that we should be seeing more centuries." He continued, "Honestly, this summer a 60 has felt like a hundred.
You have to work as hard for a 60 on these pitches as you would for a hundred on a normal Test surface." The broader context of the series underscores the tension between aggressive Bazball intent and the traditional need for big, innings‑building scores. While England’s aggressive mindset has produced quick runs and a hefty first‑innings total, the lack of conversion into three‑figure scores raises questions about sustainability against stronger opposition.
Analysts note that the middle order’s tempo, highlighted by Brook’s fluid stroke‑play and Smith’s composure, has been a bright spot. However, the inability to push beyond the 70‑run barrier suggests a technical or mental ceiling that needs to be breached. Coaches may look to adjust batting drills, focusing on shot selection and defensive technique to mitigate LBW risks, especially for a player of Root’s stature.
In addition, the team’s approach to building partnerships will be crucial. The current pattern shows several 50‑run stands that dissolve before reaching 80, limiting the team’s total. Emphasising longer partnerships, rotating the strike, and capitalising on loose deliveries could help players settle longer and convert starts into centuries. Looking ahead, England will need to address both Root’s LBW susceptibility and the collective conversion problem if they hope to dominate stronger opponents in future series.
The upcoming matches against Pakistan will provide an opportunity to test any adjustments, while also offering a chance for players like Brook, Smith, and Gay to finally break the century drought and cement the progress made under the Bazball philosophy. In summary, Nasser Hussain praised the improved tempo and aggression of England’s batting but warned that technical flaws and the lack of big scores remain critical issues. Stuart Broad reinforced the idea that, given the bowler‑friendly conditions, a solid 60 can be as valuable as a century, yet he too acknowledged the need for bigger innings to compete at the highest level.
The series thus stands as a case study in balancing rapid scoring with the endurance required for Test cricket, and the next few weeks will be decisive in determining whether England can convert promise into lasting success.