Australia neutralised 'Bazball' and handed England a two-wicket defeat in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston on June 20 (Tuesday). On a thrilling Day 5 that was packed with pulsating action, the Three Lions were in ascendancy to steal a close win before the Baggy Greens' skipper Pat Cummins batted out of his skin to take his team to the promised land. England captain Ben Stokes did all in his power to earn a positive result but it just wasn't to be for England.
After the game, several fans and former English cricketers pointed finger at Stokes' decision to declare the innings on Day 1 of the Test with ton-up Joe Root batting beautifully. The decision to declare caught a lot of heat as ex-England cricketers believe that it was the declaration call that ultimately proved to be the difference.
When asked if he had any regrets about the declaration after the conclusion of the Edgbaston Test, Stokes was quick to defend himself. The English skipper was quick to reply 'not at all' before elaborating further on his decision.
"Not at all, I saw it as a chance to pounce on Australia. Never easy for someone to go out and bat 20 minutes. Who knows? Maybe Root and Jimmy could have got out and we would have been in the same place," Stokes said at the post-match presentation.
The English skipper also affirmed that he is going to stick with his decision-making as the Three Lions want to play a certain brand of cricket.
"Very proud of the team to take it till the end, go through all those emotions. That’s another great game we have been part of, I’ll be very surprised if we haven’t kept people at the edge of their seats throughout this Test. Good reason for more people in England and Australia to follow the Ashes. A loss is a loss, we said we are going to keep playing this way. This is the way we will continue playing, going hard at Australia, taking certain decisions that feel right." he added.
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