'You look at the surface and make the decision...: England bowling consultant backs Ben Stokes' decision to bowl first against India on a dry Headingley wicket

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'You look at the surface and make the decision...: England bowling consultant backs Ben Stokes' decision to bowl first against India on a dry Headingley wicket
Ben Stokes of England celebrates a wicket with teammates during the First Rothesay Test match between England and India at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds, England, on June 20, 2025.

Story Highlights:

Team India scored 359 runs on Day 1 of first Test vs England.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill smashed century in 1st Test vs England.

England fast-bowling consultant Tim Southee backed skipper Ben Stokes for his decision of opting to bowl in the first Test match against India on a dry Headingley wicket. Stokes has faced a lot of criticism after his decision to bowl first after winning the toss in the first Test of the five-match series backfired as skipper Shubman Gill (127 not out) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (101) made merry on a dry surface to power India to 359 for 3 on the opening day on Friday.

Southee said the pitch was expected to be conducive for bowlers in the opening session, but they were undone by the young and talented Indian batters.

"With the colour of the wicket yesterday, and a little bit of moisture left in it if there was a little bit of help in it, it was probably going to be this morning. That was the thinking behind the decision," Southee said in the post-stumps press conference.

 

"You look at the surface and make the decision on what you think will give you the best chance. Not all the time do you get it right."

The former New Zealand speedster gave credit to Indian batters for playing well to prove England's decision wrong. 

ALSO READ: 'Whenever I make a century, wherever it is...': Yashasvi Jaiswal reacts after smashing maiden ton in England, WATCH VIDEO


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"But credit to the Indian openers. They negotiated the first hour well. KL Rahul left well and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal played his hand too," Southee said.

 

"They (India) played a couple of great hands. And (Shubman) Gill's knock was especially impressive given the circumstances.

 

"They may not have played a lot of cricket coming in, but they're certainly talented," he added.

The inexperienced England bowling attack was taken to task by the visitors, barring skipper Stokes who returned figures of 2 for 43 from his 16 overs.

"He's (Stokes) in great shape, bowling as well as I've seen him in a while. He was eager, threatening, and broke through when we needed it," Southee said.

Despite being on the back foot at the end of the opening day, England are still hopeful of making a strong comeback in the match.

"There's a lot of belief in this side. We've done amazing things before. It's Day 1. There's a long way to go," Southee said.