Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has questioned the tactics of the hosts' in declaring their first innings at 393\/8 in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, saying he walked up to head coach Brendon McCullum and demanded an explanation from him behind that surprise tactic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the first Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston, England made a bold decision to declare their first innings at 393\/8. The decision baffled many experts, despite a few overs remaining on day one's play, their premier batter Joe Root unbeaten on 118, and the hosts' still having two wickets in hand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We are at a time where Test cricket needs something to turn itself around because there is so much competition. But I am answering this slowly because I am still not 100 per cent sure No, I would never have declared. Because against Australia, first day of the Ashes, 393, thinking you've got enough on a flat wicket "<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I love the positivity. But it's just this series, in particular, that I still need to get my head around. I actually walked up to McCullum on the Saturday and said, 'Please explain this to me because I don't understand it'. I have done that my whole career. I gave you a spray in Australia in 2006. I was like, 'Dude what are you saying and why are you saying this?'," said Pietersen was quoted as saying by Daily Mail, in conversation with Nasser Hussain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pietersen added that he is yet to come to terms with the declaration made by England, who eventually lost Edgbaston Test by two wickets. "I am still a bit dumbfounded by it. And I know, deep down, you're also dumfounded by it. As much as you might look at me with a smile on your face and say, 'Oh, it's the best thing that's happened', you know. 393 against the Aussies on day one of an Ashes Test match, you know."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pietersen, who hit 23 centuries while amassing 8181 runs in 104 Tests, isn't of the opinion that England's move to declare their innings in a surprise move was a reflection of his flamboyant batting style, though he added that the ultra-attacking style of the current team is capturing the imagination of fans.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"There was almost method in my madness. The way that I played, I wasn't looking to throw the game away. I was looking to get the score going. I was looking to win. I'm just not 100% convinced yet in how extremely positive this approach actually is."<\/p>\r\n\r\n