'It feels a bit un-Australian' - Alastair Cook and other legends react after Australia deploy defensive field setting on Day 1 of first Ashes Test

Fans were waiting to see how England's 'Bazball' tactics would fare against Australia's formidable bowling unit in the Ashes. Australia came into the first Test, after being crowned World Test Champions as they beat India in the final at The Oval last week. While everyone expected Australia to come out all guns blazing, that didn't come to fruition as Australian captain Pat Cummins set defensive fields from the early goings on Day 1, after England won the toss and opted to bat.

Even as new batters walked in, Cummins preferred to keep fielders in the deep to stop the boundaries. This bemused Alastair Cook, as the former England captain termed the approach as not the usual aggressive brand of cricket the Aussies play. He believes the visitors should have invited the 'Bazball' style from England as it also creates a risk to throw away the wickets.

"It feels a bit un-Australian. They normally fight fire with fire," the 38-year-old said on the BBC's Test Match Special.

Ricky Ponting, who was arguably the most aggressive captain of his time, couldn't fathom the reasoning behind having sweepers on either side of the field when new batters walked in.

"I've never seen Australia with four men on the boundary," the former Australian skipper remarked on the field setting.

Meanwhile, another former England batter, Kevin Pietersen, seemed quite unhappy with the way Pat Cummins deployed fielders. Notably, even for the new batters on the crease, Australia insisted on keeping them quiet by nudging around rather than trying to hit boundaries while fielders are up. Hence, Pieterson believes that the visitors went to their Plan B right away without even trying to stick to plan A.

"Australia have got it wrong, but from an England perspective it is fantastic to see Australia so defensive. I just think first morning of an Ashes series, I would have thought that Pat Cummins would have said, 'OK England, give it a go. We don't mind. Hit us for six fours … a couple of sixes, no problem. Then we will go to plan B," Pietersen said.

"I think that they went straight to plan-B."

Australia started patiently but Broad struck twice after England declare early on Day 1

England scored rapidly to get to 393/8 in just 78 overs after Ben Stokes opted to bat first. Joe Root starred with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 118 off 152 balls. Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow contributed with fluent half-centuries as well. Stokes boldly declared to give their bowlers a four-over burst at the Australian batters.

David Warner and Usman Khawaja negotiated the tough phase as Australia finished the day at 14/0 in four overs. James Anderson wasn't given the new ball as Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson bowled two overs each. However, on day 2, after a cautious start, Stuart Broad dismissed Warner and Marnus Labuschagne to keep the hosts in the hunt despite early declaration on the opening day itself. Currently, Australia are 43.2 after the end of 17 overs.