Former England player Kevin Pietersen gave his thoughts on Ben Stokes’ statement on day one.

Speaking to former England captain Nasser Hussain for the Daily Mail, he said: We are at a time when Test cricket needs to change because the competition is so great. But I’m answering this question slowly because I’m still not 100 percent sure… No, I would never declare. Because against Australia, on Ash’s first day, 393 points, you think you have enough points on an even field.

There was almost a method to my madness. The way I played, I wasn’t looking to throw the game out of my mind. I wanted to increase the score. I wanted to win. I’m just not 100 percent convinced yet that I’m extremely positive, he added.

I like being positive. But just in this series in particular, I still have to get my act together. I went up to McCallum on Saturday and said: Please explain it to me, because I don’t understand anything. I’ve been doing this my whole career. I gave you a spray in Australia in 2006. I said, Dude, what are you saying and why are you saying it?