Brendon McCullum: I don't really like the term 'Bazball'

England red-ball head coach also dismissed the suggestion that his side's new aggressive style of play could change Test cricket

Brendon McCullum has revealed he isn’t a fan of the term 'Bazball', instead believing it is "silly" and misses the strategy behind his approach to Test cricket.

'Bazball' was coined ahead of England’s series against New Zealand in reference to the positive and aggressive style of play deployed by McCullum during his tenure as Black Caps captain.

Under McCullum’s leadership, England have won four consecutive Tests, beating New Zealand 3-0 before recording a seven-wicket win over India.

Speaking on SEN radio’s WA Breakfast show, McCullum said: "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.

^{England have won four Test matches in a row under Brendon McCullum [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

"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."

He also dismissed the suggestion that England’s new aggressive style of play could change Test cricket, continuing: "I certainly wouldn't say that.

"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.

"It's been a challenging period for those who love the game of Test cricket because society has changed and people don't necessarily have five days to sit down and watch cricket anymore, so we need to make sure that the product is worthy of their time and is able to captivate some of those imaginations.

"So that's one of the fundamental reasons why the guys are wanting to play this style of cricket and it seems to really resonate with them as well. From my point of view as a coach, it certainly resonates with me because it's how I like to see the game played, and the same as the skipper [Ben Stokes]."

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