Former England captains Michael Vaughan and former English star player Kevin Pietersen have criticised Ben Stokes’s declaration call on Day 1 and called it “outrageous”, England won the toss and elected to bat first, Batting first English opener Zak Crawley scored 61 runs while Jonny Bairstow added 78 for the team Joe Root scored maiden 118 run and Ollie Robinson was on 17 when Stokes declared.
Michael Vaughan said:
“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.
Kevin Pietersen Said:
“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. 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.”