Watching England’s current captain’s decision, the former skipper said, “It feels like tradition has blown away with the wind.”
The team that won the toss and chose to bowl managed only three wickets throughout the day. Meanwhile, the batting side scored over 350 runs at more than four runs per over. It’s clear that the toss-winning captain’s decision backfired badly! Michael Vaughan did not hold back his criticism. The former captain was stunned by England captain Ben Stokes’ call.
In the Headingley Test against India, Stokes opted to bowl after winning the toss. After the departures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India’s young batting lineup scored 359 runs for 3 wickets in 85 overs on the first day of the match.
England’s new-ball bowlers failed to make an impact early on, taking their first wicket only after 25 overs. After an opening partnership of 91 runs, Lokesh Rahul was dismissed for 42, followed by Yasasvi Jaiswal, who fell on 101 runs.
On his Test captaincy debut, Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 127, while vice-captain Rishabh Pant ended the day on 65 not out.
England’s three specialist pacers — Chris Woakes, Josh Tong, and Brydon Carse — bowled a combined 51 overs, conceding more than 4.5 runs per over while claiming just one wicket. Captain Stokes took two wickets himself with good bowling, but off-spinner Shoaib Bashir failed to make any impact.
Speaking on the BCB Test Match Special, Vaughan expressed his shock at Stokes’ decision to bowl first.
“I’m a bit of an old-fashioned, tradition-loving guy. Here in Leeds, when the sun is strong, the decision is very easy for me (to bat first), especially before a Test match when conditions are dry and excellent for batting. I was stunned when I heard he (Stokes) chose to bowl first. It felt like tradition has just blown away.”
Leeds holds memories of memorable England wins in the 2019 Ashes chase, as well as victories against New Zealand in 2022 and the 2023 Ashes. These past matches may have influenced Stokes’ choice.
However, Vaughan believes decisions should be based on current realities, not past glories.
“I know England have won several run chases here in recent years. But you have to make decisions based on the present. Just because you won a year or two ago doesn’t mean that should influence today’s call. They have given the young Indian batting lineup and new captain too much comfort to settle in.”
England’s pace bowling consultant and New Zealand pace great explained the reasoning behind the decision after the day’s play.
“Given the pitch colour yesterday and the slight moisture on it, we thought there might be some assistance in the morning session. There was some help early on, but for the rest of the day, the wicket was very good for batting.”
