Ashes 2023: Michael Vaughan, Kevin Pietersen slam Ben Stokes’ declaration decision on Day 1

Ben Stokes. (Photo Source: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen slammed Ben Stokes for declaring on Day 1 of the Ashes 2023 opening Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Friday, June 16. England stuck to its ‘Bazball’ approach, with Stokes declaring at 393/8 when centurion Joe Root was at the crease. Root scored an unbeaten 118 off 152 balls, his 30th ton in the longest format.

Vaughan stated that if he was the captain, he would not have declared, especially with Root out there. The 48-year-old also stated that England was attempting to send a message that no other team had ever done before. He added that if England didn’t get the wicket, it creates what the Ashes is all about, claiming that David Warner and Usman Khawaja, two experienced batters, were running like kids.

“I wouldn’t have declared. You just don’t know what is going to happen. England are trying to send a message no team has ever done before. I, as a captain, would’ve wanted a few more runs, especially with Joe Root out there. Even though England didn’t get the wicket, it creates what the Ashes is all about — Warner and Khawaja, two experienced pros, were running like kids,” Vaughan said on BBC Test Match Special.

Pietersen, too, was critical of Stokes’ decision, claiming that is not the character of his captaincy in and out of the field. According to the 42-year-old, the second day could be the most beautiful. He added that he was usually told 400 or 450 in the opening innings, admitting that he may be being overly critical.

“I don’t think that’s the nature of his captaincy (in and out fields from Stokes). It’s difficult to answer because we did not see much in it this evening. And I did that Test match last year against India with you guys, it was a wicket that did get better for batting, and I think that tomorrow (Saturday) could be the most beautiful day. That’s why I am… I didn’t like the declaration,” Pietersen told Sky Sports.

“We will find out if it’s the right thing to have done. I always got told 400… get to 400, 450 in the first innings of a Test match. It’s psychological. Maybe I am being too critical, I don’t know, we will see,” he said.

Hussain, Bairstow call Stokes’ decision a ‘bold move’

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain and keeper-batter Jonny Bairstow backed Stokes‘ decision to declare on Day 1. “England wanted to have a crack at Warner toward the end of the day’s play. That’s a fair call from Stokes,” Hussain said.

Bairstow, on the other hand, called the skipper’s decision a “bold call.” The 33-year-old said that there would be discussions, but no one wants to go out there with 20 minutes and four overs when you’ve got Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson running in at the end of a day. The keeper-batter has hammered a superb fifty, scoring 78 off 78 balls with 12 boundaries.

“It was a bold call, it was a good call. There will be conversations around it, but no-one likes going out there with 20 minutes and four overs, when you’ve got Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson running in at the end of a day that has been a bit of a toil,” Bairstow told Sky Sports at stumps.