Australia has won the first Test of the ongoing Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. In the game, the home team, England won the toss and elected to bat first. After getting 393/8 on the first day, the Three Lions decided to declare the innings right before the stumps. This decision was questioned by the commentators after the day’s play.
“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,” said Pietersen while speaking on Sky Sports.
“We’ll find out if it’s the right thing to have done. I just always got told to get to 400-450 in the first innings of a Test match. They’ve almost got it, I know, but it’s psychological. Maybe, being too critical. I don’t know. We’ll see,” he added.
This decision was also questioned after the game as the home team lost the game by two wickets despite being at the top most times.
Very proud of the team to take the game till the end: Ben Stokes
“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 Ashesm,” Stokes said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“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 said.
This is how Twitter reacted
— Pratham (@JainnSaab) June 21, 2023
Bazball is buzz ball only
— Pawan Shukla (@Shukla8175) June 21, 2023
They should've mentioned Cumball as well I reckon. That's a great term.
— Shahzeb Khan (@theshahzebkhan) June 21, 2023
Let's laugh on Bazball ?? pic.twitter.com/sXtzlXyLwv
— Akash Tandia? (@Iam_Akash45) June 21, 2023
They mean ??? pic.twitter.com/bofZzFQ78r
— •Roman Reigns• (@264EdenGardens) June 21, 2023
????
Aur Karo Bazball Bazball. pic.twitter.com/RU6vH3Vj0s— Nikhil Pujari (@nikhilsp27) June 21, 2023
"Kick in the Bazballs"
"….as England blow it"Baap re ?????
— Transponster Jay (@Jay_KD77) June 21, 2023
BAZBALL is suitable only on flat wickets and this Australian side is strong on batting tracks as they have d bowlers who can get wickets with the seam up
.But english bowlers can only charge up in swinging overcast conditions as they lack pace..— Rahul Chaudhary (@rahul211088) June 21, 2023
Agar india me isi tarah koi journalist or newspaper ne criticism kar diya hota na to ab tak to kaafi players ki stories post ho jati?
Our media should ask tough questions to ICT.— Akshat Patel ?? ? (@im_akshat1812) June 21, 2023
???? pic.twitter.com/NJ9C8QuIaQ
— ? (@Coverdrive__18) June 21, 2023
Usman Khawaja born in Pakistan moved to Australia & started playing cricket for them. He scored 141 and 65 in Edgbaston against England. All credits to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. pic.twitter.com/C6JTTLl61B
— 44* at Edgbaston (@brokenhumourr) June 21, 2023