Ashes 2023 | 'I Didn’t Like it' - Kevin Pietersen on England’s Day 1 Declaration

Stokes declared at 393 [AP Photos]

England's much-hyped 'Bazball' approach lived up to its name and the expectations surrounding it. Led by Ben Stokes, the team made a bold move, declaring their innings at 393/8 on Day one of the ongoing first test match of the Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston. 

Although the bold move by Stokes left many fans and experts thoroughly impressed, there were a few dissenting voices who couldn't quite digest his decision. One notable critic of the early declaration was former England captain Kevin Pietersen, who openly expressed his discontent with this decision. 

With Joe Root batting at 118 and looking in a great touch, England had an opportunity to press on and aim for a target of 450, but Stokes and their head coach McCullum took everyone by surprise when he declared the innings and opted for a brief 4-over spell to bowl at Australian openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja.   

Speaking to Sky Sports, Pietersen shared his skepticism regarding England’s strategy of employing in-and-out fields to contain the Australian batters. The former England captain expressed his concern, as he expected the visitors to take advantage of the good batting conditions on Saturday. 

Here’s what 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.”

Furthermore, Pietersen suggested that England should have set a target of 400 or even 450, as doing so would have created substantial psychological pressure on Australia. 

“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.”

Meanwhile, the former England captain Nasser Hussain stood behind Stokes's decision of early declaration, conceding his understanding of England's strategy to have a go at Australia opener Warner in the closing part of the day's play. 

Australia will resume their batting at 14 for no loss with openers Usman Khawaja and Warner in the middle, poised to take advantage of the favourable batting conditions. 

England, meanwhile, will rely on their old horse James Anderson, who was not handed the new ball on Friday, to eke out early wickets in the morning session and ensure that the visitors do not rue the decision to declare early.  

---

ALSO READ

'Asia Cup Without Pakistan Is Like Pizza...,' Akash Chopra On Asia Cup Confusion

---