Ashes 2023: Kevin Pietersen, Naseer Hussain Get Involved In Heated Argument Over Ben Stokes' 'Brave' Declaration Call

While Naseer Hussain backed Stokes' decision to declare innings at a time when Joe Root was batting unbeaten at 121*, Kevin Pietersen said he did not like it as the wicket seemed flat.

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 18 Jun 2023 09:57 AM (IST)

Ashes 2023: Kevin Pietersen, Naseer Hussain Get Involved In Heated Argument Over Ben Stokes' 'Brave' Declaration Call Ashes 2023: Kevin Pietersen, Naseer Hussain Get Involved In Heated Argument Over Ben Stokes' 'Brave' Declaration Call

England are squaring off against Australia in first Test of ongoing five-match Ashes 2023 Test series.

Source : Screengrab taken from Twitter

ENG vs AUS Ashes 2023 Test series: Former captains of the England cricket team, Naseer Hussain and Kevin Pietersen, got involved in a heated argument over Ben Stokes' 'brave' decision to declare England's first innings at 393/8 on Day 1 of England vs Australia Ashes 2023 1st Test in Birmingham's Edgbaston cricket ground. At stumps on Day 1, Australia were 14/0, trailing England by 379 runs with Usman Khawaja (4) and David Warner (8) unbeaten at the crease. While Hussain backed Stokes' decision to declare innings at a time when Joe Root was batting unbeaten at 121*, Kevin Pietersen said he did not like it as the wicket seemed flat.

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"We were talking about the declaration, we were thinking about the declaration, but two or three years ago there would not have even been a hint of a declaration," Kevin Pietersen said on Sky Sports after stumps.

"But with this team, are we surprised? I don't think we are but I am a little bit surprised only because of how flat this wicket actually is. We saw Australia bat there now and it didn't miss the middle of the bat. I didn't like the declaration," he added.

Hussain responded to Pietersen's remark by saying," I liked the declaration because I wanted to see David Warner vs Stuart Broad. I understood the moment and the drama and I understood Stokes. Stokes was always going to do that."

ENG vs AUS 1st Ashes Test, Day 2: Usman Khawaja's Heroic Ton Helps Australia Reach 311/5 Against England

Australia were reeling at 67/3 after Stuart Broad dismissed David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne in back-to-back deliveries before captain Stokes bagged the prize wicket of Steve Smith. Opener Usman Khawaja (126 not out) and wicketkeeper Alex Carey (52) staged a fightback by stitching an unbeaten 91-run stand to help Australia recover, reaching 311-5 at stumps on Day 2 of 1st Ashes Test. Australia still trail England by 82 runs after Ben Stokes declared hosts' first-innings at 393/8 on Day 1.