Ben Stokes created quite a storm on Thursday. Like when he won the toss in the most recent Test against India at Headingley, and opted to field first. It was an astonishing decision given the high temperatures and a pitch that provided no clear help to the quicks. Even former England captain Michael Vaughan was astonished by Stokes’ decision. He argued that the on-the-ground conditions on Friday morning should have played an enormous factor in Friday’s decision-making process.
In particular, the green tint of the pitch swayed Stokes’ decision making, a factor picked up on by England’s fast bowling consultant Tim Southee. He justified it by saying that the color of the wicket yesterday indicated that it would have some help for the bowler. If any moisture did survive runoff, it’d definitely help the bowlers this morning, that’s for sure. “That was the thinking behind the decision.”
Vaughan was not convinced. He joked that the recent history present at Headingley made a strong case for the opposite approach having been the wiser. In England’s last nine home Tests, the side that has won the toss and batted first has lost on just one occasion. He remembered that when David Gower decided to insert the Australians in 1989 we got 601-7 declared.
Vaughan emphasized the need to focus on what exists today instead of defaulting to what may have worked best in the past. You have to do your planning and your decision making in the reality of today. Never let what you’ve done in the past, or what you think is possible, dictate what you’re going to do today,” he said.
As the match unfolded, Stokes’ choice allowed Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal to score a commanding 101, while Shubman Gill produced an unbeaten 127. Both players capitalized on the batting-friendly conditions, which many experts felt could have been better utilized had England chosen to bat first.
Vaughan went on to explain, “It was a good pitch too, so it’s not easy to stop runs.” He pointed out that Stokes’ decision will be under extreme public pressure in the next four days. How will England tackle the threat of Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah? We won’t know that for certain until we see Jasprit Bumrah bowl on it. He can bowl you out with anything. Until I see that, I’ll reserve judgement on just how flat this pitch really is,” Vaughan continued.
Even with the negative reaction from many players to Stokes’ decision, some former players spoke of their experiences. Gill conceded that he, too, would have advised a similar approach to Stokes. He argued that usually it’s the most enterprising cricketers who turn to unorthodox approaches based on vigilant reading of the pitch.
Vaughan accepted for the positivity of Stokes stance given the burning pressure under which he made his decision. Ben Stokes is still sanguine and he’ll return tomorrow with the attitude of let’s get seven wickets,” he finished.
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