ENGvsAUS Ashes 2023: England football coach Gareth Southgate lauds Bazball after Ben Stokes' declaration

England captain Ben Stokes yet again proved he's going to continue with the Bazball on the opening day of the Ashes 2023 when he waved his side in at 393 for eight in the final session on day one of the Edgbaston Test on Friday.

Stokes - who is known for taking such decisions - declared the first innings with the hopes of making an early in-road and picking up an early wicket of the Australians. However, the hosts failed to get any breakthrough from the four overs they bowled.

Star England batter Joe Root was batting beautifully on 118 and keeping the scoreboard ticking when Stokes signalled from the balcony to surprise everyone with his adventurous decision.

It was the fifth instance in his 14th Test as a full-time captain when Stokes declared in the first innings. The skipper received praise from Jonny Bairstow. The wicketkeeper-batter lauded the captain's intent of forcing the change where others might have let the game drift to a natural close.

"I'm sure there are many decisions Ben has made that have taken commentators and other people by surprise, but it was no surprise to us," said Bairstow, who played an aggressive run-a-ball 78 in the first Test innings back after a 10-month lay-off. He was part of a vital 121-run stand with his long-time friend and foil, Root, to help England post a decent total.

Veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle was among those who were stunned by Stokes' surprise move and claimed only time will tell whether it was a clever decision or foolhardy.

"Time will tell whether Stokes' decision was foolhardy or clever but he has backed his bowlers, even challenged them, to provide him a lead. Having said that, I am not sure there is the same bowling depth in his side on a flat wicket to make this a match-winning call. But we are all excited and that cannot be bad for the game," Bhogle tweeted.

Gareth Southgate lauds Bazball

The England cricket team is being lauded for its 'Bazball' under coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes. The Bazball found an admirer in England national men's football team head coach Gareth Southgate.

Asked about the English cricket team's decision on the opening day of the first Ashes Test, Southgate said he's a big cricket fan and a bold decision like that shows the mindset of the team.

Southgate - who was addressing the media ahead of the Three Lions' Euro 24 Qualifier in Malta - went on to claim that several cricketers in the current English side can be a part of the World XI.

The England football boss said, "I'm a big cricket fan and it's something that is hugely exciting to watch at the moment. You know, their mindset has been a big thing but they've also got a lot of world-class players. You know, we've got quite a few players I think would get in a World XI."

"So, the standard is also very good, but there's definitely been this shift in how they are playing and I would imagine this is the first team in my lifetime to declare at 393 for 8 on Day 1. That will be an interesting decision because, in the end, people will judge that on the outcome as they do the decisions you make as a coach. But that's a clue as to the mindset they're going into the series with," he signed off.