The determination taken by England cricket staff skipper Ben Stokes to declare their first innings in the direction of the tip of Day 1 within the first Ashes Test in opposition to Australia on Friday took quite a lot of followers and specialists abruptly. With England batting on 393/8, followers anticipated them to play out the day however Stokes determined to present his bowlers a shot on the Australia openers and that left specialists divided. England soccer staff head coach Gareth Southgate additionally opined concerning the determination and mentioned that it isn’t one thing that he has seen ever in his life.

In the press convention following England’s 4-0 win over Malta of their Euro 2024 qualification match, Southgate had his say over Stokes’ stunning declaration.

“I’m a big cricket fan and it’s something that is hugely exciting to watch at the moment. Their (England) mindset has been a big thing, but they’ve (Australia) also got a lot of world-class players. We’ve got quite a few players I think would get in a World XI. So, the standard is also very good, but there’s definitely been this shift in how they’re playing,” Southgate mentioned within the press convention.

Gareth Southgate can have his eye on the #Ashes right this moment! #BBCCricket #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/5RKaBfVLVT

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 17, 2023

“I would imagine this is the first team in my lifetime to declare at 393/8 on Day 1. That will be an interesting decision because in the end people will judge on the outcome as they do, the decisions you make as a coach. But that’s a clue as to the mindset they’re going into the series with,” he added.