The highs and lows of Bazball

The highs and lows of BazballImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ben Stokes (left) and Brendon McCullum (right) became captain and head coach of the England Test team in the summer of 2022BySam DruryBBC Sport journalistPublished4 minutes agoCommentsThe Bazball era is officially over.Captain Ben Stokes called time on his England career during their series defeat by New Zealand in early July, while head coach Brendon McCullum was sacked on Sunday after seven defeats in nine Tests. England have both thrilled and infuriated under the pair with a playing style and approach to the game that has divided fans and pundits alike.No matter what you made of it, it has certainly been memorable and we've picked out some of the standout moments - good and bad - from the McCullum years...Bairstow blitz ignites Bazball, June 2022Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jonny Bairstow hit seven sixes and 14 fours in his match-winning knock Taking over a team that had won just one of its previous 17 Tests, McCullum and new captain Ben Stokes made the perfect start with victory over New Zealand at Lord's.But it was the second Test of that series that first showed what this team was going to be about.Set 299 to win in 72 overs on day five at Trent Bridge, England slipped to 93-4, before Jonny Bairstow and Stokes took them to 139-4 at tea and a draw appeared the best they could hope for.Instead, the evening session saw Bairstow produce an astonishing display of hitting, smashing 14 fours and seven sixes as he brought up a 77-ball hundred.That was just one ball slower than Gilbert Jessop's England Test record.Bairstow, who made 136 from 92 balls, fell just before the end but Stokes remained and thumped the winning boundary to take the home side to victory with 22 overs to spare.Record chase stuns India, July 2022Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jonny Bairstow's 114 not out followed his 106 in the first inningsLess than a month on and England, having wrappe...