Revealed - the key ingredients in a 'Bazball' run chase

The sensational start for England's red-ball revolution continues, with Brendon McCullum's Test-match entertainers chasing down a record 378 at a canter to beat India at Edgbaston.

That is now four matches played, four matches won for this newly-invigorated side - with all four victories coming with England batting last. 

As Test cricket's newly-anointed kings of the fourth innings, Telegraph Sport analyses the key aspects of a 'Bazball' run chase.

Amid the euphoria of watching the likes of Jonny Bairstow hit a third or fourth boundary off an over, it is easy enough to assume that ‘Bazball’ consists simply of whacking every delivery as hard as possible. 

Such an assumption ignores the nuances involved, invariably brought about by the spot of bother England find themselves in by the time the ‘Bazballing’ can truly begin.

Prior to this victory over India, England’s opening pair of Alex Lees and Zak Crawley had barely made a dent in mammoth targets with stands of just 31, 12 and 17, forcing the middle-order strokeplayers to ease their way into their business. Indeed, England slumped to 69 for four, 93 for four and 51 for two in their three victorious run chases against New Zealand.

At the point Bairstow was joined by Ben Stokes in the second Test of that series, he had steadily accumulated 23 off 29 balls. 

By tea (at which point England had progressed to 139 for four, chasing 299), his scoring rate had barely increased, reaching 43 off 48 balls. It was only after the break that he truly went berserk, obliterating everyone and everything in his path by smashing his next 44 balls for 93 runs.

Given the strength of the Indian bowling attack and the higher victory target facing them, Bairstow and Joe Root were understandably