The BBC Sport article marks the end of England's "Bazball" era, the aggressive and often divisive approach to Test cricket introduced when captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum took charge in the summer of 2022. Stokes ended his England career during the recent series defeat by New Zealand in early July, while McCullum was sacked after seven defeats in nine Tests, prompting the piece to look back at the standout moments — both good and bad — of the period.

The article recalls several memorable highs from the early Bazball years. It highlights Jonny Bairstow's blistering 136 from 92 balls to chase down 299 against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in June 2022, England's record chase of 378 to beat India the following month (built on an unbroken 269-run stand between Joe Root, 142 not out, and Bairstow, 114 not out), and the dramatic "Raid of Rawalpindi" in December 2022, when England won in fading light in Pakistan after amassing a Test-record 506-4 on day one and scoring at 6.73 runs per over across the match.