Michael Vaughan, the former Ashes-winning captain, has slammed England’s decision to bowl first against India as “staggering”. Ben Stokes’ bold move to let India bat on a flat Headingley pitch under scorching conditions seemed to backfire spectacularly as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill notched up centuries, propelling India to a dominant 359-3 by the close of play on day one of the opening Test.
Vaughan didn’t hold back in his assessment of Stokes’ choice, stating: “I am an old school traditionalist here at Leeds that when the sun is shining, with dry weather, you bat. I was staggered when he said he was going to bowl. Traditions are out the window. You always have to pick your decisions on that moment, and not things that you did here years ago or at other times. It can’t affect what the decision is today.”
Despite the fact that the last six Tests at Leeds were won by the team batting second, and Stokes having chosen to bat just once in 10 home Tests after winning the toss, the decision seemed questionable as Jaiswal (101) and Gill (127 not out) piled on the runs, leaving England toiling in the field.
With England’s preparation for the crucial Ashes series in Australia this winter starting on a tough note, new bowling consultant Tim Southee was left to justify what appeared to be a blunder in tactics.
Analysts have crunched the numbers, revealing that only a mere nine of the 175 deliveries faced by Shubman Gill in his debut as India captain would have hit the stumps. Tim Southee conceded: “It was a tough day but we will get our opportunity to bat soon. We will come back tomorrow and try to make some inroads.
“There were two great knocks, Jaiswal and Pant are class players. A lot of guys chipped in around those knocks too. Moisture and the colour of the wicket was behind the decision to bowl first.
“The openers did well to negotiate the first hour and after that it was a pretty good surface throughout the day, which I guess is encouraging for us when it’s our turn to bat.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young talent who amassed a staggering 712 runs against England last year, has now rocketed past any Indian batter’s run tally after their first 20 Test appearances.
Jaiswal said: “It was very special, it meant a lot to me. I just wanted to get in and do something for my team, for my country and for myself after the work I have put in. I loved it.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk