'I didn’t like the declaration' - England Test greats fume at Ben Stokes' decision to declare on Day 1 of first Ashes 2023 Test

It is known as Bazball. England players' innovative approach to the game's established structure. Additionally, as evidenced by their recent couple of months, it is not just about the huge hits and aggressive hitting; it is also about the audacious calls.

In fact, a good portion of it was on display on Day 1 of the inaugural Ashes Test series at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground when England captain Ben Stokes declared at 393 for eight with Joe Root still unbeaten on 118. England cricketing legends were incensed at the decision, but Australia's Ricky Ponting was overjoyed.

With an unbeaten Root at the bat, neither Michael Vaughan nor Kevin Pietersen was pleased with Stokes' decision. They both believed that a few extra runs on the board wouldn't hurt.

‘England are trying to send a message no team has ever done before’ – Michael Vaughan

“I wouldn’t have declared,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said on BBC Test Match Special. “You just don’t know what is going to happen. England are trying to send a message no team has ever done before. I, as a captain, would’ve wanted a few more runs, especially with Joe Root out there. Even though England didn’t get the wicket, it creates what the Ashes is all about — Warner and Khawaja, two experienced pros, were running like kids.”

Pietersen acknowledged that he may have been a little too harsh, but he thought that England would have done better with a first-innings aim of little more than 400 runs.

He said on Sky Sports: “I don’t think that’s the nature of his captaincy (in and out fields from Stokes). It’s difficult to answer because we did not see much in it this evening. And I did that Test match last year against India with you guys, it was a wicket that did get better for batting, and I think that tomorrow (Saturday) could be the most beautiful day. That’s why I am… I didn’t like the declaration. We will find out if it’s the right thing to have done. I always got told 400… get to 400, 450 in the first innings of a Test match. It’s psychological. Maybe I am being too critical, I don’t know, we will see."