Alastair Cook, the former England captain, has expressed his disagreement with Ben Stokes’ decision to enforce the follow-on in the second Test against New Zealand.
The England skipper made the call after the hosts had posted a first innings total of 476, a lead of 246 runs. However, Cook believes that the decision was a mistake, and that the team should have opted to bat again and build a bigger lead.
Cook said: “I think it was a mistake to enforce the follow-on. I think we should have batted again and built a bigger lead. We had the opportunity to do that and I think it would have been the better option.”
Cook’s comments come after England were bowled out for just 197 in their second innings, leaving New Zealand with a target of just 152 to win the match. The hosts eventually chased down the target with ease, winning the match by seven wickets.
Cook believes that the decision to enforce the follow-on was a gamble that didn’t pay off, and that the team should have taken a more conservative approach.
He said: “I think it was a gamble that didn’t pay off. We had the opportunity to build a bigger lead and put more pressure on New Zealand, but we didn’t take it. We should have been more conservative and taken the safer option.”
Cook’s comments have sparked debate among cricket fans, with some agreeing with his assessment and others believing that Stokes made the right call. Whatever the opinion, it’s clear that Cook doesn’t agree with the decision that was made.