Stokes Declaration

Glad you had a good day, wish I could have been there. I think the declaration was timed just right: gave us a couple of overs to see what they were made of. Typical Bazball tactics. Looking forward to tomorrow.
 
Strange. I'm all for bazball etc. Yet bat out the innings. We were comfortable and didn't look like losing a wicket.

Also or 'taking one'.
 
Expat Smoggie said:
Hard to understand why he’d chose to let them off the hook? I mean we were definitely in the driving seat and maybe we could have added another 60-70 runs, which could be precious come the final day.
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I presume that Stokes discussed it with at least the coach. I was shocked by it, test matches often don’t go into the last day now with England.

I think the risk reward ratio meant it was a strange decision.
 
Personally I think we are 50 runs short of par, so mistake for me. In fact it was a mistake because we didn't get a wicket. Cracking entertainment though and those openers were all over the place with nerves that first over or so with their running.

Not going to criticise though, anything that is a gamble won't pay off sometimes.

There were a few times today the Aussies were looking rattled. They know they are in a contest and it's not just about athletic talent, they are no longer sure of the rules of this Test Cricket game they are playing right now.
 
I've got to say I was puzzled by it. It wasn't like we were 450 or there was fading light so we wanted to put them in for a couple of overs. Confident move though. Think they did the same in NZ but ended up getting beat.
 
I think it was a very strange declaration. Featherbed of a pitch with virtually no lateral movement, tiring bowlers and Root at his pomp. It’s not like 393 is a massive first innings total.

Probably turned down at least 30-40 runs, which would have been much easier to score in the first innings than the second. Hope we don’t come to rue it.

Still, seems to be the way Stokes wants to go, always take the gamble. I love the way he’s transformed the attitude (and results) of this England team, I just wish he would occasionally be prepared to take a more ‘traditional’ option.
 
Definitely an error, although i get the reasoning why he did, had he have got a wicket we’d have been saying a masterstroke, but it never worked out. The wicket will play the same tomorrow and I’d think they will try and bat through to get near or surpass our total. Gotta admire his front foot approach, it is certainly entertaining.
 
Understand the reasoning, if we’d got 2 of them out he’d be hailed as a genius.

Personally, first day, I’d have batted it out and tried to hang around in the morning to frustrate the Aussie batsmen waiting to get in. It’s very well poised though and could be a tight one.
 
Cardiffdaffs said:
Coming back on the train from Edgbaston. Had the most fabulous day's cricket. Weather, atmosphere, Root century but

What are the thoughts on a day 1 declaration under 400. Balsy or puzzling?

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Only Anderson to come so was ok with it myself, though think too many players just threw their wicket away.. one thing to be positive & attacking no need to be reckless.. I think we're 100-150 short & should, with better mindset, be batting up to lunch tomorrow & 500/550..
 
BobUpnDown said:
Only Anderson to come so was ok with it myself, though think too many players just threw their wicket away.. one thing to be positive & attacking no need to be reckless.. I think we're 100-150 short & should, with better mindset, be batting up to lunch tomorrow & 500/550..
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Don’t take this the wrong way but I think you’re sort of missing the point about Bazball though. You can’t just switch it on and off.
 
atypical_boro said:
Don’t take this the wrong way but I think you’re sort of missing the point about Bazball though. You can’t just switch it on and off.
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I get that & attacking mindset is great.. however both Ali & Bairstow played premptive shots & were out because of it..

If they'd attacked the delivery as bowled.. they may have not been stumped..
 
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The new approach has surprised up till now so I’ll try to keep an open mind but the declaration certainly seemed counterintuitive.

Surely our strength in this test will be our batting and that is where we should seek our greatest advantage.
 
BobUpnDown said:
I get that & attacking mindset is great.. however both Ali & Bairstow played premptive shots & we're out because of it..

If they'd attacked the delivery as bowled.. they may have not being stumped..
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Fair enough. I think the Bazball mindset is just based on “do it or die trying, fear no one” etc. and about holistic gains rather than short term ones.

Anyway, I’m not saying you’re wrong but if it was easy England would never have had to resort to these tactics to get themselves back amongst the world’s best.
 
atypical_boro said:
Fair enough. I think the Bazball mindset is just based on “do it or die trying, fear no one” etc. and about holistic gains rather than short term ones.

Anyway, I’m not saying you’re wrong but if it was easy England would never have had to resort to these tactics to get themselves back amongst the world’s best.
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I think it's more based on "ah, f**k it, why not?"

Which I approve of wholeheartedly.
 
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