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Cricket world stunned as England humiliated in 'Bazball' disaster

Ben Stokes (pictured left) and Stuart Broad (pictured right) react during England's cricket game.
England were crushed in the first Test against South Africa after losing by 20 wickets. (Getty Images)

The cricket world has reacted with shock after South Africa handed England a reality check as Ben Stokes' team fell to South Africa by an innings and 12 runs inside three days in the first test at Lord's.

After taking a lead of 161 into the second innings, the Proteas dismissed England for 149 in just 37.4 overs before tea on Friday's third day to move 1-0 ahead in the three-Test series.

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Under new captain Stokes and new coach Brendon McCullum, England had swept a series 3-0 against New Zealand in June and also beaten India in a Test in July by taking an aggressive approach to batting.

Fans have coined the term 'Bazball' to describe England's entertaining brand of cricket under McCullum.

However, Bazball came crashing down this week against South Africa and their hostile pace attack, with England losing their 20 wickets in a total of 82.4 overs.

But Stokes defended the team's aggressive approach and said the brutal loss wouldn't change England's new style of play.

"Absolutely not. You look at captains before me, captains after me, they're always going to get criticised at certain times about the way they want to go out and play," he said.

"That's just part and parcel of life. We know when we perform to how we are capable of, we can go out and put some incredible performances like everybody has seen in the four games before this."

The South Africans resumed on 7-289 on day three and were bowled out for 326 after an hour's play.

Then England didn't even make it to tea.

Cricket fans were quick to react to the harsh reality check offered to England after a brilliant home summer.

South Africa's pace attack blitzes England

South Africa captain Dean Elgar said he couldn't believe how quickly the match had finished, especially since around half of the first day had been lost to rain.

"But I think I will when I wake up tomorrow with a hangover," Elgar smiled.

"It was a team effort, there were a few stand-out performances but everyone had played their part."

England had an outside chance of victory by wrapping up South Africa's tail quickly, with Stuart Broad taking a wonder-catch to remove Kagiso Rabada for three off the third ball of the day before taking the final two wickets.

Anrich Nortje, who made 28no, helped run through the English batting order, claiming three wickets in just 10 deliveries in the middle of the innings.

"It was a hostile spell of bowling," Elgar said. "He is an angry man and you don't want to poke the bear."

England's batters floundered, with Alex Lees and Broad posting the highest individual scores of 35 in the second innings.

Zak Crawley's struggles with the bat continued when an ill-judged sweep shot had him trapped lbw for 13.

The wicket of Ollie Pope for five on the stroke of lunch then set the tone for the rest of the dismissals continuing after the interval.

Joe Root (six) provided Lungi Ngidi with his first wicket of the innings when he steered the ball low to second slip, before Jonny Bairstow feathered a 91mph ball from Nortje behind to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.

Bairstow came into the game having averaged 76.46 in 2022, including six centuries, but only managed 0 and 18 against the Proteas.

Nortje struck again in almost identical fashion, with opener Lees edging behind to leave England 5-86.

England slid from 6-86 to 149 all out. "We have a little bit of work to do, but you don't go from being a good team to a bad one overnight," McCullum said.

"You have to buckle up for the ride. We'll come back stronger."

with AAP

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