I'm not going to be looking back on this game as 'what ifs', we just didn't manage to get over the line: Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes’ decision to declare early on Day 1 backfired as England lost the first Test against Australia by two wickets. However, the skipper isn’t ready to change his mindset despite the defeat, as he stated that he wouldn’t hesitate to do something similar if another opportunity arises in the coming times. Meanwhile, Stokes’ decision got a mixed reaction as a specific quarter believed it to be bold while few smelled overconfidence.

Notably, when the home team were 393/8, the skipper declared the innings, despite Joe Root (118*) being on the field. Stokes wanted Australia to bat in the last 20 minutes and to pick up quick wickets in the evening session but that didn’t go as per plan. Meanwhile, defending his early declaration, the all-rounder added that the match wouldn’t have been as exciting if they kept on batting on the opening day.

“If we were in the same position? Yeah. I would like to be 398 for 6 with 20 minutes left. That would be great. I could also turn it around and say, 'if we didn't declare, would we have got the excitement that we did at the end of Day Five?' I'm not a hundred percent sure, but I'm not going to be looking back on this game as 'what ifs'... the reality is, we just didn't manage to get over the line,” Stokes was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

I am not going to change the way I have gone about my cricket: Stokes

After the completion of the match, Australia skipper Pat Cummins stated that he wouldn’t have declared at the same stage, as it was a great opportunity to maximize in the first innings. However, Stokes had different ideas as the cricketer thought it to be a perfect time to pounce on the visiting side and also made it clear that he is not going to change his mindset because of the Ashes.

“I thought that was a time to pounce. I am not going to change the way I have gone about my cricket because it is the Ashes. Who knows? We could have got an extra 40 runs or lost two wickets in two balls. I am not a captain who gets by on what ifs. We saw it as an opportunity to pounce on Australia and really start day two on top."