Could Stokes Have Been More Aggressive with His Field Placements?

Birmingham, July 5 (NationPress) As India continues to assert its dominance in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Edgbaston, former fast bowler Varun Aaron has expressed that England's captain Ben Stokes could have been more proactive with his field placements during the initial session.

During the morning session of day four's play, England secured just two wickets while India extended their lead to a commanding 357 runs. "England certainly displayed the right intent — not only in their bowling but also in their overall body language. They targeted the right areas and bowled effectively, taking a lesson from India's approach," noted Aaron.

“However, I believe Ben Stokes should have adopted a more aggressive stance with his field placements, particularly in the first five to seven overs. By positioning more catchers early on — especially with the bowlers fresh and the overhead conditions favorable — they might have dismissed Gill or Pant much sooner,” Aaron shared with JioHotstar.

He further emphasized that England must intensify their efforts if they hope to secure a win at Edgbaston. “India would happily accept that session — they lost just two wickets while maintaining a rapid scoring rate. Rishabh Pant's explosive innings elevated their performance significantly. KL Rahul was cautious, while Karun Nair fell while attempting a drive — yet, credit goes to Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse, who bowled effectively under supportive conditions,” Aaron remarked.

“This is the caliber of bowling England should have delivered in the first innings, but it's never too late. They must continue to push if they want a shot at this Test. That said, with a team like England, you can never count them out,” he added.

Aaron also highlighted how the cloud cover significantly influenced India's aggressive approach during the initial session. “In England, cloud cover alters the game — it’s not merely about swing in the air; the ball tends to behave differently off the pitch too. As we discussed in commentary, a moving ball against a moving batsman creates a situation where two negatives can become a positive,” he explained.

“That’s precisely what occurred with Pant. There’s always excitement when he’s at the crease. England squandered opportunities — both Zak Crawley and Chris Woakes missed chances — and they'll reflect on those moments with regret,” Aaron stated.

Jonathan Trott, the former England batsman, commented on how Pant drastically shifted the momentum in India's favor. “England claimed two early wickets, leading one to believe they had the upper hand. But suddenly, Pant’s impactful performance turned the tide. With him, you can always expect more,” Trott said.

“He steps in, utilizes his footwork, attacks from the first ball, and prevents the bowlers from settling. That's the essence of Test cricket — and we have a packed house at Edgbaston on Day 4. As the match progresses into Day 5, we are witnessing nine days of truly exceptional Test cricket. Test cricket is thriving,” Trott concluded.