Ashes Test: Ben Stokes’ bold declaration call leaves experts divided

The decision taken by England captain Ben Stokes to declare their first innings towards the end of Day one in the first Ashes Test against Australia on Friday took several fans and experts by surprise.

With England on 393/8, it was expected that they will play out the day and add some important runs to their total. However, Stokes decided to give his bowlers a shot at the Australia openers and that left experts divided.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen and Nasser Hussain had a heated discussion over Stoke’s decision. As per Pietersen, he did not like it as the wicket seemed flat. But, Hussain backed the decision made by Stokes. As per him, he wanted to see Stuart Broad bowl against David Warner on Day one.

“We were talking about the declaration, we were thinking about the declaration, but two or three years ago there would not have even been a hint of a declaration,” said Pietersen during an interview.

“But with this team, are we surprised? I don’t think we are but I am a little bit surprised only because of how flat this wicket actually is. We saw Australia bat there now and it didn’t miss the middle of the bat. I didn’t like the declaration,” he added.

However, in response to Stokes’ decision and Pietersen’s remark on it Hussain said, “I liked the declaration because I wanted to see Warner vs Broad. I understood the moment and the drama and I understood Stokes. Stokes was always going to do that.”

England football team head coach Gareth Southgate also gave his opinion about the decision and said that it is not something that he has seen ever in his life.

“I am a big cricket fan and it’s something that is hugely exciting to watch at the moment. England’s mindset has been a big thing, but Australia have also got a lot of world-class players. We have got quite a few players I think would get in a World XI. So, the standard is also very good, but there’s definitely been this shift in how they are playing,” said Southgate.