England's ultra-aggressive 'Bazball' era has seen its fair share of high-scoring encounters. And the ongoing second Test against India at Edgbaston has once again brought their bold approach under the spotlight.
After India scored 587 in their first innings - led by Shubman Gill's double century, England now face a familiar question: can they bounce back after conceding 500-plus?
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It's not the first time England have been in this position under the Stokes-McCullum leadership. Surprisingly, the results have mostly gone their way.
England's record after conceding 500 under Stokes and McCullum: how many have they won?
Despite the odds stacked against them, England have previously found ways to turn games around - even after being on the receiving end of massive totals. Here is a look at how they have fared when the opposition has posted 500 or more during the Stokes-McCullum era:
| Team | Score | Innings | Result | Opposition | Venue | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 587 | 1st | TBD | India | Birmingham | 2 Jul 2025 |
| Pakistan | 579 | 2nd | Won | Pakistan | Rawalpindi | 1 Dec 2022 |
| Pakistan | 556 | 1st | Won | Pakistan | Multan | 7 Oct 2024 |
| New Zealand | 553 | 1st | Won | New Zealand | Nottingham | 10 Jun 2022 |
Why can't England still be counted out?
Of the three completed Tests in which England conceded over 550 under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they have astonishingly won all three. Each of those wins came on flat tracks where batting dominance was expected.
But England's counter-attacking style - combined with timely bowling spells, flipped the script. That is what makes this Edgbaston Test interesting.
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Yes, India's 587 is daunting but England have overcome such deficits before. And with the series lead on the line, don't rule out another dramatic turnaround.