IND vs ENG: How England's Test pitches have become batting-friendly yet result-oriented
Ben Stokes and Joe Root
Ask any seasoned fan and they'll tell you that batting in England was once cricket's greatest test of patience and technique. A bit of cloud, a hint of green, and the Duke ball would do the rest — nibbling, ducking, and testing even the best.
But if you've watched England's home Tests in the last five years, you've probably noticed something has changed. Quite a bit, actually. The pitches have mellowed, the run rates have shot up, and we're seeing more matches with results, not endless bore draws.
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Across 35 Tests played in England (2020–2025):
Average runs per wicket: 31.40
Run rate: 3.56 per over
Draws: 5
Results: 30
These stats show a healthy batting average and a brisk scoring rate by Test standards, yet fewer matches drifting into dull draws.
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But how different is this from the recent past?
Compare that with the 2015–2019 phase, and the contrast is sharp. Back then, England's Tests saw slightly lower batting averages (~31.2) and a more modest scoring rate (around 3.35 RPO). More importantly, there were 10 draws in 35 Tests in that five-year stretch — double the number we've seen since.
Ground-by-Ground Averages (2020–2025)
Here's how England's major venues stack up for batting:
Ground Batting Average Run Rate (RPO) Matches Draws
Ground
Batting Average
Run Rate (RPO)
Matches
Draws
Old Trafford
43.45
3.78
6
1
Lord's
39.47
4.43
8
1
Headingley
44.75
4.49
4
0
Trent Bridge
36.32
4.36
4
1
Edgbaston
27.42
4.10
4
0
Kennington Oval
36.77
4.10
4
0
Rose Bowl (Southampton)
~29.00
~2.60–3.21
3
2
Now compare these with their own figures from 2015–2019:
Ground-by-Ground: Who's Changed the Most?
Ground
2015–2019 Avg
2020–2025 Avg
Change
RPO (Now)
Insight
Headingley
31.87
44.75
+12.88
4.49
Once tricky, now a run-fest
Old Trafford
~32.76
43.45
+10.69
3.78
Massive improvement in scoring
Lord's
~32.24–33
39.47
+6–7
4.43
RPO now among highest in the country
Trent Bridge
24.63–40.05
36.32
+5 to +11
4.36
Flatter, quicker, more reliable
Kennington Oval
~36.00
36.77
Slight rise
4.10
Flat decks remain consistent
Edgbaston
28.40
27.42
-0.98
4.10
Still the toughest place to bat
Rose Bowl
~25.85
~29.00
+3.15
~2.60–3.21
Remains slow and draw-prone
High Match Totals
Recent drawn Tests show just how much easier scoring big has become in England.
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Undo
England piled up 592 runs against Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester in 2023, only for rain to rescue the visitors.
England scored 583 for 8 declared against Pakistan at Southampton in 2020, but constant weather interruptions prevented a result.
New Zealand made 547 runs for 16 wickets at Lord's in 2021 — a total good enough to push for a win, but once again, time ran out.
Other large match totals — 531, 486, 460 and more — show that both hosts and touring sides are stacking up runs far more easily than in the past.
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Why Batting is Flourishing?
1. Pitches Prepared for Entertainment
The ECB has quietly shifted towards pitches that favour attractive stroke play to boost spectator interest and TV viewership.
2. Bazball & Aggressive Batting
Since 2021, England's 'Bazball' era has seen batters scoring at unprecedented rates — above 4 runs per over at Headingley and Lord's. This mindset forces the game forward but also demands pitches that hold together for strokeplay.
3. Less Lateral Movement
There has been a slight reduction in grass cover and surface moisture in recent years. Swing and seam remain factors, but not as consistently throughout five days as they once did.
Quiz:
Who's that IPL player?
More runs, but not more snooze-fest draws
Poll
Do you believe the changes in England's pitches have positively impacted Test cricket?
Yes, definitely
No, not really
You'd think all these big scores would mean more boring draws, right? But surprisingly, that's not the case.
Teams today don't crawl to 250 over two days anymore — they race to 400 before tea. Batters play with freedom, strike rates are up, and captains aren't shy about rolling the dice. Declarations come earlier, fourth innings chases are alive, and there's always a sense that something's about to happen.
So yes, there are more runs. But it's not dull. Not even close.
English pitches, which were once known for grinding down batters, now offer a different thrill: fast scoring, bold tactics, and games that actually go somewhere.
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
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