Ashes 2023: The declaration showed that England underestimated Australia – Salman Butt slams Ben Stokes’ decision

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt feels England underestimated Australia after Ben Stokes decided to declare at 393-8 after 78 overs on the opening day of the first Ashes match at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

The decision was baffling for a lot of cricket boffins as Joe Root was batting unbeaten on 118 and Ollie Robinson was settled at 17. However, Stokes later revealed he wanted to pounce on Australia in the later stages of the day and pick a couple of wickets before stumps. However, the plan didn’t work as Usman Khawaja and David Warner remained unbeaten at the draw of stumps.

Subsequently, Australia scored 386 in the first innings and then England managed 273 in the second essay to give a target of 281 to the visitors. In the end, the tourists were able to get over the line by two wickets with Pat Cummins scoring an unbeaten knock of 44 runs.

It was a thrilling finish but it could have been a different story if England had not declared in the first innings as they could have added a few more runs.

Salman Butt said on his YouTube Channel, “England also made many mistakes. The declaration showed that they underestimated Australia. Their policy of doing things quickly won’t work against Australia because the latter aren’t an inexperienced team.

“They have experience, aggression and also aren’t someone whose focus is not Test cricket. Who knows, England might continue to do this still since they’re adamant about it.”

Butt also reckons England missed a trick by not playing their gun fast bowler Mark Wood, who could have troubled the Australian batters with his extra pace.

“If they had to use the short ball plot so much, why didn’t they play a proper speedster? Why all medium pacers? No matter how much short you bowl, the batters won’t get troubled at that pace. Ollie Robinson suddenly won’t become Mark Wood, neither will Anderson or Broad.”

The former left-handed opener added that England didn’t pose any threat with their pace attack. Ollie Robinson bowled below 130 kmph whereas James Anderson could not bring his A-game. Moreover, Moeen Ali’s finger injury added to the hosts’ woes.

“England didn’t pose any threat in their pace attack. If you knew the wicket was this flat and placid, then you should have played Mark Wood, who would have bent his back and could have made things happen. Moeen Ali’s finger getting injured only added to England’s problems.”

The second Ashes Test will be played at Lord’s, from June 28 onwards.