Bazball with brains England s refined style could see them have year to remember

LEEDS, England - Englands ultra-aggressive approach has brought plenty of highs and also drawn criticism for some self-inflicted lows, but their thrilling win over India showed a refined version of Bazball that could produce a year to remember.

When coach Brendon McCullum teamed up with bit-hitting skipper Ben Stokes, the term Bazball quickly became a staple in cricket vernacular, as the normally conservative English test arena was treated to a new, rip-roaring style.

A team who had won one of their previous 17 test matches not only enjoyed a massive uplift in results, the manner of their victories came about thanks to a rapid run rate not previously seen in test cricket.

Criticism came when their aggressive approach was seen as too cavalier, especially during last years Ashes series where they were the better side in many matches but ended up drawing the series.

Skipper Stokes hinted prior to the highly-anticipated test series with India that his team would refine their approach slightly, to become smarter in certain situations.

After an exhilarating five-wicket victory over India in the first test, achieved by the 10th highest successful run chase in history, a controlled England backed up their skippers promises.

A performance former captain Michael Vaughan labelled Bazball with brains ensured a crucial period got off to the perfect start ahead of 10 tests, with the Ashes series in Australia to come next, which could define the McCullum-Stokes era.

Everyone who went out there and got runs read the situation, Stokes told reporters after Englands Headingley win.

We chose our moments to actually put pressure back on them. We could see, in moments where the game could swing, that we needed to assess and hold off on that pressure.

Winning any test match is a lot of hard work, but to start