England Face Pakistan in New Era of Test Cricket
Listen to the story
England and Pakistan have started a new Test cricket series. This is the first match between the two teams in this competition.
England is now playing in what people call the 'post-Bazball era'. Bazball was England's fast and aggressive style of cricket. It seems this bold approach is changing.
Pakistan's cricket team is known for having constant problems. Journalists often describe the team as being 'forever in turmoil', meaning there is regular trouble or disorder within it.
Because both teams have their own issues, some people are calling this contest 'El Dysfunctiono'. This nickname jokes that both sides sometimes cause their own problems, or act as 'self-saboteurs'.
At the moment, Pakistan is leading in the match. This means Pakistan currently has a stronger position than England as the game continues.
Test cricket is a long form of the sport, often played over several days. A series like this one usually includes more than one match between the same two national teams.
Fans are watching closely to see how England performs without relying only on its old Bazball tactics, and whether Pakistan can keep control of the match.
Vocabulary10 words
- Test
- a very long cricket match, often lasting days
- post-Bazball era
- the new period after England's old fast playing style
- aggressive
- playing in a bold, attacking way
- turmoil
- ongoing trouble or confusion
- self-saboteurs
- people who damage their own success by mistake
- series
- a group of matches played between two teams
- tactics
- plans used to try to win
- leading
- being ahead or winning
- contest
- a competition between two sides
- disorder
- a lack of order or organization
Quiz
Answer key
1. The time after England's old aggressive playing style 2. Because both teams often have their own problems 3. Pakistan
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
England and Pakistan have started a new _____ cricket series.
England is now playing in what people call the '_____'.
Bazball was England's fast and _____ style of cricket.
Pakistan's cricket team is known for having constant problems, often described as being in '_____'.
Some people are calling this contest 'El Dysfunctiono' because both sides can act as '_____'.
At the moment, _____ is leading in the match.
Fans want to see if Pakistan can keep control of the _____.
Discussion questions
- What do you think 'Bazball' means in cricket, and why might England want to change their style?
- Why might journalists describe a team as being in 'turmoil'?
- Do you think giving playful nicknames like 'El Dysfunctiono' to sports events is a good idea? Why or why not?
- What questions would you ask England's captain about their team's new approach after Bazball?