'I think whoever wins the toss...' - Ben Stokes discloses England’s strategy behind toss decision in 3rd Test vs India

Ben Stokes has clarified that England’s tendency to bowl first under his leadership is not a rigid strategy, as the hosts gear up for the third Test against India at Lord’s. Despite a clear pattern, Stokes has opted to bowl in 10 out of 12 home Tests as captain, the England skipper insists that conditions, not preference, guide his decisions.

“We are not stuck in our ways about it,” Stokes said. “It’s something that’s been built up. We bowled first at Edgbaston because of the overheads, but that soon changed. I’m not the Met Office, so I can’t tell what’s going to happen after 10.30 am.”

Stokes’ decision to bowl first paid off in the second Test at Headingley, where England chased down 373 to level the series. However, the call backfired in the opening Test at Edgbaston, with England suffering a 336-run defeat. Coach Brendon McCullum later admitted they may have misread the conditions that day.

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Stokes says toss decision will depend on weather as England prepare for hot conditions at Lord’s

Ahead of the Lord’s Test, temperatures are expected to soar past 30°C in London, prompting Stokes to lean towards batting if he wins the toss. “Lord’s is meant to be really hot this week. If that is the case and the sun is out blazing, I think whoever wins the toss will end up doing the same thing.”

While England has enjoyed significant success chasing under Stokes, winning 11 out of 18 fourth-innings efforts, including six of 250+ targets, the captain downplayed the notion that it influences his toss calls. “It’s not a tactic of ours to always bowl first,” he explained. “But if there’s any assistance in the morning, that’s when we mentally lean that way.”

Stokes admitted he tries not to overthink the toss too early. “You can go back and forth all night. When I get the whites and blazer on, I just look at the sky. It’s not rocket science.”