Ashes 2023: Critics question Ben Stokes over early declaration as First Test sits on a knife’s edge

It was all anyone could talk about leading into the Ashes. But now, even England’s camp is questioning its so-called revolution.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 18: Ben Stokes of England walks off after Australia's first innings during Day Three of the LV= Insurance Ashes 1st Test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston on June 18, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

It’s the revolution that has put a jolt through Test cricket over the last 18 months. A highly aggressive approach to the five-day game, BazBall has been the talk of the town leading into the Ashes.

Skipper Ben Stokes noted that he “wasn’t afraid to lose” in the lead-up to the series, hinting that he’d be more aggressive than ever in his hunt to raise the urn in 2023.

But at just three days into the series, he may have bitten off more than he could chew — at least in the eyes of some in the England camp.

Former England cricketer Mark Butcher has expressed his disbelief over England’s audacious declaration on the opening day of the 2023 Ashes, suggesting that this decision might haunt the home team in the upcoming days.

In a surprising move, Stokes called back Joe Root and Ollie Robinson when the score stood at 393-8 after an exhilarating day of play.

At the time, Root was unbeaten on a brilliant 118, and he and Robinson had just plundered 20 runs off a Nathan Lyon over. But Stokes, standing confidently on the balcony, signalled for Australia to face the new ball before the close of play.

David Warner and Usman Khawaja cautiously negotiated the remaining overs, and although Stuart Broad struck twice early the next morning, Khawaja went on to craft a magnificent century, reducing England‘s lead to a mere seven runs.

Stokes has become known for his bold decision-making, something that has propelled England in recent months to become arguably the most exciting Test side in the world. In England‘s first Test against New Zealand, he declared the innings after fewer than 60 overs, once again choosing to give his bowlers a chance to make inroads before the day’s end.

In the match against Pakistan, his declaration at Rawalpindi set the stage for one of England’s most memorable victories, defying a flat pitch and clinching a thrilling win on the final day.

But now the Poms have a different battle - and it involves dismissing the top three ranked batsmen

It was all anyone could talk about leading into the Ashes. But now, even England greats are questioning just how attacking a team should be in Test cricket.

This latest declaration has once again divided fans and experts, and Butcher, while acknowledging the moment‘s theatricality, expressed his astonishment at the call.

“I was absolutely flabbergasted by that [declaration],” he said on the Wisden Cricket Weekly Podcast. “Great theatre and all the rest of it, wonderful. But how much would England have liked another 50 runs on top of their target as of right at this minute?

“Playing fast and loose with totals in the first innings when time is very much on your side in Test matches … I understand it in games where you’re trying to put time back in.

“But at that point on day one of a Test match? Wow, what a decision that is. And that could yet come back to bite England on the backside at some point over the next couple of days.”

In a surprising move, Stokes called back Joe Root and Ollie Robinson when the score stood at 393-8 after an exhilarating day of play.

Butcher did acknowledge England‘s rationale for other aspects of their game plan, such as persisting with Jonny Bairstow as the wicketkeeper despite a challenging performance behind the stumps. However, he maintained a different perspective on the declaration.

“The thing that you shouldn’t just throw your hands in the air at and say, ‘that’s just us being on the front foot’, is declaring your first innings closed when you’ve got a bloke on 120 playing like God and there are runs to be made in a Test match with a pitch that is going to deteriorate, that to me is nuts.”

Wisden writer Yas Rana also commented on England’s lack of depth in certain areas, noting that Moeen Ali had been called out of red ball retirement to plug a hole made by Jack Leach’s injury.

“English cricket is no closer to answering longstanding questions around the development of spinners,” Rana wrote.

“It’s an extraordinary situation. A guy whose major early work in county cricket was as a batter – who was retired from Test cricket last week – bowled the second most overs he’s ever done in an innings in England …

“Whatever you think of the relative merits and potential shortcomings of Moeen’s recall, the underlying truth is the absence of viable alternatives.”

As the third day drew to a close, England found themselves at 28-2, leading by 35 runs, with openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett falling victim to the opposition before rain intervened, curbing the day‘s play.

Play will resume at 8pm (AEST).