Ashes 2023 | 'Please Explain This To Me': Kevin Pietersen Still Baffled by England's Declaration in First Test
England' early declaration has been criticised by many [AP Photos]
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen is still dumbfounded with the hosts declaring their innings prematurely in the first innings of the Edgbaston Test against Australia last week.
England declared at 393/8 on the first day of the opening Ashes Test, with centurion Joe Root still at the crease.
The decision came back to haunt them as Australia-led by their skipper Pat Cummins gunned down the fourth innings target at the closing stages of day 05.
Pietersen, who is commentating on the series for Sky Sports, questioned the decision on the first day itself, and he still can't get over it.
So much so, that he even approached England coach Brendon McCullum to explain his thought-process behind such a bold call.
“We are at a time where Test cricket needs something to turn itself around because there is so much competition. But I am answering this slowly because I am still not 100 per cent sure… No, I would never have declared. Because against Australia, first day of the Ashes, 393, thinking you’ve got enough on a flat wicket."
"I love the positivity. But it’s just this series, in particular, that I still need to get my head around. I actually walked up to McCullum on the Saturday and said, ‘Please explain this to me because I don’t understand it’. I have done that my whole career. I gave you a spray in Australia in 2006. I was like, ‘Dude what are you saying and why are you saying this?’.”
As it turned out, England's ultra-aggressive approach came back to bite them in the back as they went down to the Aussies by 2 wickets.
The next Test will take place at Lord's from June 28.
 "Yash Mittal")