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.

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

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.

"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.