England’s wicketkeeper-batsman, Jonny Bairstow, praised the decision of his skipper, Ben Stokes, to declare their innings at 393/8 after 78 overs on the opening day of the first Test of Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston on Friday. Bairstow, who hit 78 runs off 78 deliveries, remarked that he was not surprised by the declaration.
Since head coach Brendon McCullum took over the reins of the Test side last year, England has adopted an ultra-aggressive approach towards the longest format of the game. They have won 11 out of the 13 games in this period and have not shied away from chasing big totals and going for the win, no matter how precarious the situation.
Bairstow stepped out to try and hit Nathan Lyon for a big shot in the third session, but he was stumped out. Nevertheless, he was thrilled with the captain’s decision to declare, which put the Australian cricket team under pressure and into an unfavorable position.
England has embraced a fearless style of play, backed by aggressive tactics, to ensure the team performs at their best. Although the Ashes series is one of the most fiercely fought contests in cricket, England aims to maintain their offensive playing style and take on Australia with renewed determination.
Bairstow’s statement reinforces the fact that the team is committed to take risks and play with an offensive mindset. The team’s aggression has certainly worked in their favor in the past, and they will be looking to continue in the same vein during the Ashes series.
Overall, England’s approach during the Ashes series could be a potential game-changer, and it will be interesting to see how the team performs on the field. The Ashes 2023 series promises to be an enthralling contest, and cricket fans around the world will be eagerly waiting to see how it all plays out.
