Lord’s Test: Ollie Pope explains England’s measured approach

The hosts did not look like the leaders of aggressive red-ball play that they usually are on Day 1 of the Lord's Test. The third India vs England Test opened with Ben Stokes winning the toss and opting to bat first, very unlike the Bazball captain. As the day proceeded, England cruised patiently against the Indian attack, not looking very intent on run-scoring but playing the true Test game at the Home of Cricket. The lack of Bazball on display in the contest puzzled the fraternity. The visitors even teased the batsmen for their low rate of scoring, asking where 'Bazball' was. At the end of the day's play, Ollie Pope explained England's reason for avoiding their aggressive batting on Day 1.

Lord's surface didn't allow for Bazball to flourish on Day 1 of the third India vs England Test

Despite all the pre-match buzz around England's famed Bazball approach, Day 1 of the third India vs England Test told a different story. The hosts dialed down on their batting approach, closing the day at a modest 251 for 4, a pace far removed from their recent high-octane starts. Batting in the first session, England's batters scored at a run rate of just 2.92. The scoring rate is now recorded as their second-slowest at home in the Bazball era, behind only their performance against New Zealand at the same venue in 2022, when they scored at a rate of 2.72 in the opening session.

Meanwhile, as the curtains closed on Day 1 of the Lord's Test, Ollie Pope explained the psyche behind England's measured approach. Pope, who scored 44 off 104 deliveries before falling to Ravindra Jadeja right at the start of the last session, explained that the team had consciously chosen to slow things down. According to Pope, mellowing Bazball was not planned prior to the contest, but the conditions at Lord's prompted the team to play in contrast to their well-set template. Pope explained that the nature of the Lord’s pitch demanded a more thoughtful approach rather than their usual attacking flair.

“This wasn't a surface where you could come out swinging. The Indian attack held their lengths and made it hard to score,” Pope noted. “It’s not necessarily the way we’re used to going about putting together a first innings, but I think 250 for four is a pretty good score obviously would have liked some more runs,” he added. “But the nature of the surface and the way the Indian attack bowled was pretty good throughout.”

Speaking after the day’s play, Pope noted that England found it difficult to maintain their trademark aggression on a surface that offered little reward for risky strokeplay. He credited India’s disciplined bowling for forcing England into a more cautious rhythm. Pope told reporters that the pitch required restraint and calculated shot selection, marking a shift from the free-flowing style England have championed under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. He also stressed that adapting to the conditions was key, and the team had done just that.

“Sometimes you might see some more aggressive shots on a pitch that’s really moving and nipping around, because that’s your best way of putting pressure back on the bowlers,” he explained. “But today called for a different approach.”

England's innings was anchored by Joe Root, who ended the day unbeaten on 99, while Ben Stokes provided solid support with 39 not out off 102 deliveries. India made early inroads, with Nitish Kumar Reddy striking twice in quick succession to remove openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, ending the day with figures of 2 for 46. Jasprit Bumrah, back in the playing XI, was characteristically economical, giving away just 35 runs in his 18 overs and picking up a wicket. Ravindra Jadeja claimed Pope’s scalp with a delivery that turned sharply and took the edge to the wicketkeeper.