Vaughan 'staggered' by England decision to bowl
Published: 6/20/2025

Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized England's decision to field first against India in the first Test at Headingley, where India scored 359-3 on day one. Despite no obvious assistance for bowlers, England captain Ben Stokes chose to bowl after winning the toss, a decision that surprised Vaughan given the sunny conditions. Stokes' choice allowed Indian batsmen Gill and Jaiswal to shine, but recent history and strategic advantages can sometimes justify fielding first in good batting conditions.