Michael Vaughan has expressed his disbelief at Ben Stokes's decision to bowl first in the opening Test against India at Headingley. The former England captain didn't hold back his criticism, labeling the move as "staggering" and highlighting the favorable batting conditions on offer.
Stokes's decision to field first was made under bright sunshine and on a pitch that appeared dry and flat. Vaughan, a seasoned observer of the Headingley pitch, emphasized the traditional wisdom of batting first in such conditions. He stated that when the sun is shining and the weather is dry at Leeds, the obvious choice is to bat. Vaughan's astonishment was evident as he recounted his reaction upon hearing Stokes's decision at the toss.
The decision quickly backfired as India dominated the first day, reaching an imposing 359 for 3 by the close of play. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill led the charge, notching up centuries and putting England's bowlers under immense pressure. Jaiswal's fluent 101 set the tone for the innings, while Gill remained unbeaten on 127, marking his first century outside of Asia. Their partnership of 129 runs for the third wicket further compounded England's woes.
Vaughan acknowledged that recent history at Headingley, where teams batting second have won the last six Tests, might have influenced Stokes's decision. However, he argued that captains should prioritize current conditions over past records when making such crucial choices. He stressed that decisions should be based on the present moment and not on what happened years ago.
Adding to Vaughan's concerns was the relative inexperience of England's bowling attack. With the absence of veteran bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad, and express fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, the onus was on the inexperienced bowlers to perform, which they couldn't do.
Echoing Vaughan's sentiments, Mark Butcher of Sky Sports Cricket also expressed his surprise at Stokes's decision. He said that he would have invariably chosen to bat first, given the pitch conditions. Butcher described the pitch as exceptionally flat, resembling a Day 3 surface with minimal grass cover and a brown hue even before the first ball was bowled.
Despite the criticism, England's bowling consultant Tim Southee defended Stokes's decision, citing some moisture in the pitch. He also said the surface should remain good for batting. However, analysts pointed out the lack of discipline in England's bowling, with a small percentage of balls threatening the stumps.
As play unfolded, India's dominance underscored the magnitude of Stokes's gamble. England's bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batsmen, and the decision to bowl first seemed increasingly questionable. While Stokes remained optimistic about his team's chances, the day undoubtedly belonged to India, leaving England with a mountain to climb.
