‘Ab haarne ke baad jjustify to karna padega na’ – Fans react Ben Stokes says he has no regrets of declaring first innings on Day 1 after loss in first Ashes Test

England Test skipper Ben Stokes said that he has no regrets about the declaration that came in the first innings on Day 1 after losing the first Test of Ashes 2023 at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham. That move possibly decided the fate of the game as Australia registered a thrilling victory by 2 wickets on the final session of Day 5 to take a 1-0 lead in a five-match series.

Since the conclusion of the match, Ben Stokes has been facing a lot of criticism for declaring the innings prematurely on Day 1. England finished their first innings on 393 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Star batter Joe Root was still batting on 118 runs off 152 and England had a fair chance to reach a score of 420-430. Australian skipper Pat Cummins also opposed this decision and said that his team would not have done the same.

However, there was a tough fight shown by both teams when Australia were chasing 281 runs. England kept taking wickets at regular intervals while on the other hand, Australian batters kept taking the score further and getting close to the target. At last, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon put up a 55-run partnership for the ninth wicket and took their team home. Cummins remained unbeaten on 44 runs 73 balls.

‘If we didn’t declare, would we have…’ – Stokes

“I’m a captain who saw it as an opportunity to pounce on Australia. I don’t think any batter likes to go out 20 minutes before the close of play. The way in which we played, and took Australia on, actually allowed us to be able to do that. I could also turn around and say, ‘If we didn’t declare, would we have got that excitement like we did at the end of day five? I’m not 100 percent sure but I’m not going to be looking back at this game as ‘what ifs’. The reality is, we just didn’t manage to get over the line this week,” Stokes said at the post-match presentation.

“It’s a bit early to say the Ashes are slipping away after one game. There are still four games left. Keep following us and we will keep trying to do what we do. I’m sat here as a losing captain, but I couldn’t be more proud of the way we have operated and the effort put in by everyone across the game,” he further added.

pic.twitter.com/GSzOqFFeYH

— Jim Is Here To Take Care of Him (@RoastHimJim) June 21, 2023

Two captains after last bowl of first test #ashes

Contrasting expressions ☹️

Ben stokes … that declaration on day one 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/Dej3q3uGIG

— parody of suresh b (@sureshbtweets) June 20, 2023

Australia had to bat for the last hour 8 wickets down. We’d take that every day of the week. There were many other factors like umpires letting play continue in rain and poor light for 10 minutes where England lost both their openers (only spell of favourable bowling weather)

— Zac (@KopiteZac) June 20, 2023

Yeah ! What to regret in that ?? Had England lost by some handsome margin then that declaration would be debatable but England were so close almost on driving seat with 2 wicket needed and 59 to get. But then it's a game of uncertainty!.

— @isumeet (@isumeet31) June 20, 2023

He did what he thought was right. And it almost paid off. Amazing captaincy during the whole match! It was a hard loss to take but there's only room for more improvement. On we go to Lord's

— Saiyam Babel (@SaiyamRJ) June 20, 2023

He did what he thought was right. And it almost paid off. Amazing captaincy during the whole match! It was a hard loss to take but there's only room for more improvement. On we go to Lord's

— Saiyam Babel (@SaiyamRJ) June 20, 2023

Great attitude 👍. They lost bcs lyon and Cummins played wonderful inning. Not bcs they dec on day 1. 55 run left when Lyon came to bat. Eng was dominating at that time, but captain and Lyon fought like warriors🔥 can't wait for the next match😍 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇦🇺

— Akshat Patel 🇮🇳 🦊 (@im_akshat1812) June 20, 2023

England were in the driving seat when carey got out.. that declaration also gave england a chance to win. So yes.. he did the right thing, otherwise the match would have been drawn.

But he should aleast regret that drop chance of lyon. Tough one.. but you have to hold those.

— Aditya (@aditya10on9) June 20, 2023

I’m sorry Ben Stokes but I do! I’m so disappointed at your decision to declare @ 393-8 as Rooty was going along nicely on 118*. You should have left him at the crease w Robinson to get score to 450min. A decent chance lost to beat Australia no. 1 test team in the world! 😥 🏏

— Maggie Hobbs🌹 (@MaggieMobbs) June 20, 2023