Stokes’ Bazballers recreate Edgbaston heroics with 2nd highest successful chase in Leeds

Three years ago, England chased down 378 runs against India in Edgbaston. ‘Bazball’ was in its infancy then. And a big run chase set them up. It was England’s highest successful chase in Test history and the 8th highest of all time. In the next three years, the Ben Stokes-led team has made a name for themselves and has excelled at chasing in Test cricket. Yet, they have only hunted down a 300-run target once.

Well, make that two chases over 300 for Stokes’ England. All they needed was India touring them again to recreate the Edgbaston magic. The venue changed to Headingley and the target was decreased by 7 runs, but the result was the same. And England has completed the 10th highest successful chase in Test history.

Edgbaston deja vu in Headingley

In the India vs England 1st Test at Headingley, Stokes’ team chased down 371 with relative ease. On the final day, England needed 350 runs and had all wickets in hand. Given how quickly they have been playing since adopting their ‘Bazball’ approach, the target wasn’t something out of the realm of possibility.

Despite being a 5th-day pitch, there were no real demons. It was spinning a bit out of the rough for Ravindra Jadeja but the fast bowler, of whom India had four, didn’t get much help. The first wicket itself fell on 188. In the next couple of hours, India managed to claim 4 more wickets, but luck was favouring England more often than it did them.

But as they say, fortune favours the brave, and out of the two teams, England was braver. They didn’t chase the target 3 down, like in Edgbaston but lost just 5 wickets and won the game about half an hour before the end of play. They go 0-1 in the series and considering Jasprit Bumrah won’t play at 2 of the next 4 Test matches, they have probably taken an unassailable lead.

Highest successful run chases in Test history