Ben Stokes scrutinised for opting to bowl first in the India vs England series opener

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has criticised the decision of the English captain Ben Stokes to bowl first in the opening Test at Headingley. Under a clear sky, with the pitch looking dry, Stokes ignored the conditions, putting the visitors to bat first in the India vs England Test. Questioning the move that saw India post a dominant 359 for 3, Vaughan expressed surprise at England handing the initiative to the visitors. The call backfired as centuries from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill, his first as India’s Test lead, put the team in firm control of the series opener.

Michael Vaughan takes aim at Ben Stokes for his decision at the India vs England toss at Headingley

Since taking over the reins in 2022, Ben Stokes has shown a consistent preference for bowling first. Of the nine home Tests where England won the toss under his captaincy, they’ve chosen to field in eight, securing victory in six of those. However, Michael Vaughan warned against placing blind faith in past patterns or recent records. Before the action set off in the opening India vs England Test, the sky was clear and the sun shone brightly. With the grass chopped off considerably and the pitch looking dry, the conditions called for opting to bat first. However, Stokes followed his well-set plans after winning the toss.

"I am an old-school traditionalist here at Leeds that when the sun is shining, with dry weather, you bat," Vaughan said. "I was staggered when he said he was going to bowl. Traditions are out the window. You have to pick your decisions on that moment, and not things that you did here years ago," he added.

Statistically, Headingley had offered support for that approach, the team bowling first had come out on top in each of the last six Tests at the venue. Yet the conditions on the day of the first India vs England Test didn’t quite match that history. The surface lost its bite early on, easing out quickly and presenting a prime opportunity for batting. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill capitalised with fluent centuries, taking advantage of the favorable conditions.

"You always have to pick your decisions on that moment," Vaughan reiterated. "And not things that you did here years ago or at other times. It can't affect what the decision is today. You look at the England side and their strength is in the batting. And there is inexperience in the bowling at the moment. Ben clearly had a gut feeling, and sometimes it has worked."

Adding context to the decision, England’s fast-bowling consultant Tim Southee explained the thought process behind choosing to field. According to the former New Zealand pacer, the surface at Leeds carried a green tint and held some early moisture. The specific factors led the England camp to believe it would offer early movement for the seamers.

"With the colour of the wicket yesterday, and a little bit of moisture left in it, if there was a little bit of help in it, it was probably going to be this morning," said Southee. "That was the thinking behind the decision. You look at the surface and make the decision on what you think will give you the best chance. Not all the time do you get it right."