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The loss in the opening Test of the Ashes has left many wondering whether the Bazball approach is the right way to go about it. Coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes have four more Tests to plot a comeback. If history is any indication, what awaits is another England-Australia series that will keep everyone on edge

Bazball took a blow at Edgbaston as England’s 2023 Ashes campaign started on the wrong foot. Pat Cummins’ Australia managed to pull off a dramatic chase to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

The Ashes urn hasn’t had England’s name on it since 2015, and getting off to a winning start would have helped set the tempo for the remainder of the series. But it wasn’t to be.

With a lot to ponder, Ben Stokes and the England think-tank have four more Tests to plot and plan a comeback. If history is any indication, what awaits is a series that will keep everyone on edge.

What can Brendon McCullum’s England do to turn around its fortunes? And what has transpired in the previous opening bouts between the countries on English soil since 2001?

After the turn of the millennium, the two sides have locked horns on English shores in six series.

The first Test of the 2001 battle saw the Aussies thrash the home side by an innings and 118 runs.

England’s misery piled up as captain Nasser Hussain hurt his finger and had to retire during the second innings of the Test. The injury also led to him missing out on the next two games at Lord’s and Trent Bridge. There wasn’t much of a fightback from the host as it lost the first three Tests by big margins. Though it won the fourth at Leeds, England went on to lose the series 1-4.