India, July 13 -- loudly, dramatically and surrounded by arguments over whether the spectacle ever matched the substance.

Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket after England's 160-run defeat to New Zealand at Trent Bridge removed the captain who had embodied the philosophy. The result completed a 2-1 home series defeat. Two weeks later, the ECB sacked Brendon McCullum as Test coach, although he will continue in charge of England's white-ball teams. England had lost seven of their final nine Tests under him, including a 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia.

That ending makes this the right time to judge Bazball by more than its slogans.

Stokes and McCullum inherited a broken Test team in 2022. England had won only once in their pre...