Follow UsIt has been a riveting beginning to the 2023 Ashes series, with England playing an ultra-aggressive brand of cricket nicknamed “Bazball”, declaring on 393/8d on the first day. Since then, Ben Stokes’ Three Lions have been more and more aggressive, with their funky fielding placements, which have haunted the Australian side.
But despite that, there’s still hope for the visitors - Australia - who find themselves on 107/3, needing 174 runs on the fifth day to win the Edgbaston Test. If England do win the first Test, former England skipper Michael Vaughan insisted that the Stokes-led side will continue to be ultra-aggressive.
Not just that, if England lose a grip over the Test, he reckoned that it would bring about a lot of questions over the declaration and their batting approach, which was too aggressive at many points.
“It all comes down to today - it will define this Ashes series. If England get the win, then Ben Stokes will continue to go ultra aggressive. If England lose they face so many questions about the declaration, their batting approach at times,” Vaughan was quoted as saying on BBC Test Match Special.
However, on the other hand, if Australia do concede the Test, Vaughan reckoned that Pat Cummins would be under the spotlight, and his defensive captaincy style could be a major talking point. Additionally, Vaughan opined that whoever wins the opening Test will win the Ashes.
“If Australia lose, then Pat Cummins is under the spotlight and there are questions about spreading the field. There will be fingers pointed to whoever loses. I think whoever wins this Test will win the Ashes,” he added.