Two Rawalpindi Tests, separated by nearly two years, have encapsulated the soaring highs and disheartening lows of the Bazball era for England cricket.
In 2022, England achieved one of their finest overseas victories, leading to a remarkable 3-0 series triumph over Pakistan. This success marked an impressive record under Ben Stokes, with nine wins out of ten Tests. Fast forward to 2024, and England faced a stark contrast, suffering a nine-wicket defeat on the same ground, resulting in a 2-1 series loss to a Pakistani team that had recently endured six consecutive Test losses.
While many believe that England has matured and evolved under Stokes and Brendon McCullum, the series defeat has raised questions about that narrative. Here’s a comparison of England’s current state with their performance two years ago.
Batting
In 2022, England made an impressive 500 runs in just 75 overs on the series’ opening day, showcasing their transformed approach. The batting lineup was formidable, executing aggressive shots but remained comfortably within their limits.
Now, the core players are mostly unchanged, yet they’ve struggled significantly against spin, with only Ben Duckett and Joe Root demonstrating effective techniques. Concerns linger over Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes, particularly with Pope’s place in the team being questioned. Both Pope and Zak Crawley have disappointing Test averages (32 and 34), which weaken England’s batting depth. The situation is compounded by the apparent sidelining of Dan Lawrence in favor of Jordan Cox. In contrast, during the 2022 series, an injured Jonny Bairstow had Harry Brook rising through the ranks and Ben Foakes excelling as wicketkeeper, creating a competitive pool of talent.
2022: 8/10
2024: 7/10
Fast Bowling
Since 2022, England has undergone a significant refresh of their fast bowling unit. The retirement of veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad was inevitable, but the transition has been managed well. However, Ollie Robinson’s inability to deliver consistent performances led to his omission when he was expected to spearhead the attack.
The team has introduced a cadre of younger, faster bowlers to support Mark Wood and potentially Jofra Archer. Players like Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse have made impressive debuts, while Matthew Potts and Olly Stone have also performed well when called upon. Though less decorated than previous generations, this pace attack seems better equipped to excel in diverse conditions, particularly in Australia next winter. The situation could improve significantly if Stokes can return to bowling regularly.
2022: 8/10
2024: 7/10
Spin Bowling
The spin department has seen some improvements, particularly with the introduction of promising off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed. However, both are still learning the ropes at the international level, which is not ideal, as Bashir’s honeymoon phase ended with a disappointing average of 50 during the Pakistan tour. England will continue to invest in him while Jack Leach remains a reliable yet injury-plagued option.
2022: 6/10
2024: 6/10
Wicketkeeping and Fielding
Jamie Smith has emerged as a significant find, settling the debate over the wicketkeeping position. He has impressed with his all-round performance, averaging 42.5 and contributing solidly with the gloves. While he may not reach Ben Foakes’s level behind the stumps, his batting enhances the team’s balance. Depth in this area is also promising, with players like Cox, James Rew, and Ollie Robinson emerging alongside Bairstow and Foakes.
However, England’s slip catching remains inconsistent—though Joe Root is prolific, he still drops a few—and their ground fielding is only slightly above average.
2022: 7/10
2024: 7/10
Leadership
For the first time, McCullum criticized Stokes’s captaincy following the defeat in Pakistan. In 2022, Stokes seemed invincible, capable of inspiring wickets from any position. Yet, his batting in subcontinental conditions has seemingly drained his confidence, compounded by his infrequent bowling. As he approaches veteran status, Stokes remains a fantastic player and captain, eager to reassert his influence during the upcoming tour of New Zealand.
With the departure of Anderson and Broad, England has lost key leaders in their attack. Nonetheless, Chris Woakes and Wood have stepped up when available. Considerable effort has been made to expose younger players like Pope, Brook, Duckett, and Crawley to leadership roles, with Brook looking like a potential long-term captain.
2022: 9/10
2024: 8/10
Verdict
While England has refreshed their team, the emergence of players like Smith, Atkinson, and Carse offers hope for the future. However, their struggles in subcontinental conditions indicate they are not the intimidating force they were in 2022, when they peaked. The bowling unit shows promise, but the batting lineup requires further development.
2022 rating: 38/50
2024 rating: 35/50
