England captain Ben Stokes is facing a lot of backlash for his early declaration in the first inning after Australia won the first Ashes Test by two wickets. More than the early declaration, Stokes’ way of justifying his decision has left fans fuming. As the England skipper talked about attracting people towards the sport with such interesting decisions, fans felt they don’t need saviors.
Notably, England lost the first Ashes Test as Australia pulled off a historic chase at Edgbaston on Tuesday. Chasing 282, the visitors won the match by two wickets. Meanwhile, England had declared their first inning at 393/8 with Joe Root (118*) and Ollie Robinson batting in the middle. Although they bowled Australia for 386, England could only set a target of 282 in the fourth innings.
With the match going down the wire, a section of fans felt that Stokes should have let Joe Root and Ollie Robinson bat for a few more overs and add some extra 30-40 runs which could have come in handy in the last moments.
Meanwhile, Stokes justified his decision after the game and said that such games are needed to keep Test cricket alive. “We’re absolutely devastated that we’ve lost, the lads are up there in pieces. But if that game’s not attracting people to our sport then I’m not sure what will,” said Stokes on BBC Test Match Special.
England fans want Ben Stokes to stop acting as a savior of Test cricket
This comment from Ben Stokes attracted criticism as fans felt there was no need for a savior. Instead, the England skipper should look to win games and not at pulling crowds. “Don’t know where this idea England need to save test cricket has come from? It’s loved in England. Always has been. We just want to win,” said one user.
Don’t know where this idea England need to save test cricket has come from? It’s loved in England. Always has been. We just want to win.— Mike (@Mikelacbe) June 20, 2023
Check out other reactions.
I still think declaring on the first day of a 5 day test was an odd decision and ultimately cost us. If it was a declaration on day 4 then fine, but it just wasn’t needed.— Alan Davis (@AlanDavis1893) June 20, 2023
Please stop acting like saviors of test cricket, enough people watch quality cricket. Next they would be asking us to bow down to them or something— Penalol (@afzalate51) June 20, 2023
Pah! The reality is though Ben, we want winners, not saviours. I don’t see Australia worrying about crowd numbers, they worry about winning every single game they play, usually at any cost! A winners mentality.— Graham Good (@blueygood) June 20, 2023
Seek the attention and you will get the least of it. Why is England so desperately trying to woo new audiences?— Shaheen Taori (@Mai_bhi_expert) June 20, 2023
Batting till your bowled out is still attractive— James Watson (@dirkhum) June 20, 2023
So england would rather play attractive cricket than win. Interesting strategy— Joey Kozina (@Joey_Kozina) June 20, 2023
All well and good attracting people to the sport Ben but ultimately it’s about winning! I don’t care how many people are watching, I want my country to WIN! Especially against Australia in the Ashes.— WOlner (@willieo2018) June 21, 2023
Love Stokes but his job is to win test matches for England not save test cricket— Dean Patterson (@deano5_3) June 20, 2023
However, on the flip side, a few fans backed Ben Stokes and also felt that such dynamic decisions are making Test cricket interesting. Nevertheless, England have been playing this way for a while now and it will be interesting to see if they continue to do so in the near future as well.
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