Captain Ben Stokes mentioned “it’s a good job Check cricket is performed over 5 days” following questions over his choice on the toss in England’s epic victory over India.
Stokes opted to area regardless of preferrred batting circumstances on the opening day of the primary Check at Headingley.
India reached 430-3 of their first innings, however England battled again and accomplished an outstanding run chase of 371 late on the fifth day.
“Making a decision and you do not know what will occur,” Stokes informed Check Match Particular.
“We did what we wanted to do within the essential moments of this sport. This win just isn’t down to simply the talent, however the angle of this dressing room.”
Stokes’ choice to area adopted a pattern in his captaincy. On the ten events England have received the toss in dwelling Checks since Stokes grew to become captain in 2022, they’ve fielded first on 9 events.
In these 9 matches, they’ve received seven, misplaced one and drawn one, the latter a sport they in all probability would have received towards Australia at Previous Trafford in 2023 had rained not worn out many of the closing two days.
Headingley can be a floor suited to batting second. From the 81 venues which have hosted Checks since 2011, Leeds is the one one which has progressively produced extra runs per wicket, innings on innings, all through a match.
And Stokes was vindicated by victory within the opener to the five-match collection towards India. England’s pursuit, led by an astonishing 149 from Ben Duckett, was their second-highest in Checks, bettered solely by the 378 chased to beat the identical opponents at Edgbaston in 2022.

