The first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series between England and India at Headingley has sparked debate, particularly regarding Ben Stokes's decision to bowl first after winning the toss. Former England captain Michael Vaughan didn't hold back his criticism, expressing his surprise at Stokes's choice.
Vaughan, a self-proclaimed "old school traditionalist," stated he was "staggered" by Stokes's decision. Speaking on the BBC, Vaughan highlighted the favorable batting conditions, noting the sunshine and dry weather at Leeds. He argued that traditional cricket logic dictates that a team should bat first in such circumstances to capitalize on the optimal batting conditions. Vaughan acknowledged the recent trend of teams winning at Headingley after fielding first but emphasized that England's strength lies in their batting lineup. He suggested that Stokes's decision might have been influenced by a "gut feeling," admitting that such instincts have occasionally paid off for the captain.
Stokes defended his choice by pointing to Headingley's recent history, where the pitch hasn't deteriorated significantly in county cricket matches. He also alluded to England's confidence in their chasing abilities, suggesting that the team prefers to know the target they need to chase in the fourth innings. Stokes said that he wanted to make use of the early conditions.
Echoing Vaughan's sentiments, former England captain Alastair Cook also expressed reservations about Stokes's decision. Cook emphasized the potential consequences of fielding first on a hot day, stating that if England failed to bowl India out cheaply, they would be "bowling all day." He highlighted the advantage of batting first, allowing a team to control the game's tempo and put scoreboard pressure on the opposition.
Despite the criticism, some observers, such as Michael Atherton, suggested that Stokes's decision was influenced by Headingley's recent trends and England's comfort in chasing targets. Atherton noted that the last six wins at Headingley had been secured by the team bowling first.
India, under the leadership of new captain Shubman Gill, took advantage of the opportunity to bat first. Openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal put on a 91-run stand, vindicating Gill's assertion that he would have also chosen to bat. Jaiswal went on to score a century. Gill also scored a century. However, England's Tim Southee pointed out that the Indian openers played well in the first hour.
Vaughan also cautioned against assuming the Headingley pitch would be a guaranteed run-fest, highlighting the presence of Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian bowling attack. He warned that Bumrah's skill and ability could pose a significant threat to England's batting lineup, regardless of the pitch conditions.
