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Edgbaston: Did England shrink boundaries?

Published On: July 4, 2025
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England’s strategic decision to shorten boundary dimensions at Edgbaston for their Test match against India has ignited discussions about their ‘Bazball’ approach and its impact.

Edgbaston’s Shorter Boundaries Under Scrutiny

During the ongoing Test between India and England at Edgbaston, peculiar boundary dimensions have become a major talking point. Reports suggest England’s captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have influenced groundsmen to set the ropes at the shortest permissible limits.

This move is seen as a tactical ploy aimed at neutralizing India’s spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, and putting extra pressure on fielders. By reducing the distance to the boundary, England hopes to encourage more attacking shots and increase scoring opportunities.

Match officials confirmed to The Times UK that no part of the ground’s boundary was longer than 71 yards (64.9 metres) from the stumps. Notably, the straight boundaries were measured at about 60 metres, significantly shorter than in recent Ashes matches at the same venue.

Are ICC Rules Being Bent?

While England’s strategy is clear, they are operating within the official rules set by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The ICC World Test Championship playing conditions state that “no boundary shall be longer than 90 yards [or] shorter than 65 yards from the centre of the pitch.”

Although the rules also state “the aim shall be to maximise the size of the playing area,” it remains at the home board’s discretion to determine the exact boundary ranges. These dimensions then remain fixed for the duration of the match.

Edgbaston groundsman Gary Barwell confirmed communication with the England camp. He stated that information is exchanged to suit the team’s desired playing style.

Impact on India’s Batting

The shortened boundaries had a direct impact, notably contributing to Rishabh Pant’s dismissal. After hitting one maximum, Pant attempted another big hit over the distinctly smaller wide long-on boundary, only to be caught out by Zak Crawley.

The celebrations from the England side suggested this was a pre-meditated plan to disrupt batters’ instincts. Despite this, India managed to post a formidable total of 587 runs, showcasing their ability to adapt to the conditions.

England’s History with Shortened Boundaries

This isn’t the first time England has used this tactic. They famously did so in the 2005 Ashes series against Shane Warne and Australia. More recently, in the 2019 World Cup, India’s spin duo Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav were heavily targeted, conceding 160 runs in 20 overs, which contributed to India’s 31-run loss.

The Indian team was reportedly displeased by England’s decision to enforce unusually short boundaries on one side of the square during that match.

Expert Opinions on the Tactic

Former England all-rounder David Lloyd expressed confusion over the extent to which the boundary ropes were brought in. He speculated it might relate to keeping them clear of advertising boards.

However, ex-England pacer Steve Finn connected the ploy directly to the ‘Bazball’ philosophy. Finn suggested that England’s preference to win the toss, bowl first, and chase down totals in the final innings might be the underlying reason for these significantly reduced boundary dimensions.

  • Edgbaston boundaries are unusually short, reportedly as close as 60-71 yards from the stumps.
  • This tactic is linked to England’s ‘Bazball’ strategy, aiming to negate Indian spinners.
  • While within ICC’s 65-90 yard rule, it deviates from the “maximise playing area” principle.
  • Rishabh Pant’s dismissal highlighted the direct impact of misjudging the shortened boundaries.
  • England has employed similar boundary tactics in past matches, including against India in 2019.

This strategic manipulation of the playing field, while legal, adds another fascinating layer to the ongoing tactical battle between these cricketing powerhouses.

Atish Ranjan

Atish Ranjan is a sports commentator and editor with over a decade of experience following and analyzing global sports culture. He has contributed to regional news platforms and fan-led commentary spaces, offering deep takes on performance, psychology, and momentum in competitive arenas. A former college-level athlete, Atish brings a player’s instinct and a strategist’s clarity to every piece. His stories are grounded in real dynamics — not just headlines. Find him on LinkedIn.

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