‘Ultra confidence hai bhai’ - Fans react as Wasim Jaffer raises question on England’s decision of announcing Playing XI before 2nd Test in Ashes 2023 at Lord’s

On 28 June 2023, the second Test of the ongoing Ashes series began at the Lord’s. England’s Bazball approach came under the radar as they got defeated by Australia in the series opener. So, they were looking to win this game to make a comeback while the Aussies were looking to make it 2-0.

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But, on the eve of the match, England announced their playing XI to the media and hence, it got confirmed that Josh Tounge replaced Moeen Ali in the lineup. But, the former India player, Wasim Jaffer raised a question on this approach of letting everyone know about the playing XI before the match.

Here is the shared tweet:

What's the benefit of announcing playing XI to the media a day or two before the test? Why reveal your plans to the opposition earlier than you have to.. Thoughts? #Ashes23

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 28, 2023

Australia lost only one wicket in the first session

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Speaking of the tweet, Jaffer wrote: “What's the benefit of announcing playing XI to the media a day or two before the test? Why reveal your plans to the opposition earlier than you have to.. Thoughts? #Ashes23”. However, it was not the first time when England have announced their team earlier. On many occasions, they have done it. So, fans shared their views on social media. Speaking of the match, Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bowl. 

At the toss, he said: "I think the overheads have played a massive part in this. The wicket looks like it's got plenty of grass on it so hopefully we can exploit that this morning. We felt have the four seamers, we wanted a point of difference and Tonguey gives us that. I think Joe bowled well last week when he got responsibility with the ball. I think he's really enjoyed the challenge of coming on and changing the game with the ball." However, after the first session, Australia scored 73 runs for one wicket in 23.1 overs. Tongue took the wicket of Usman Khawaja while David Warner finished the session with 53* runs off 70 balls, including six fours and one six.

Here is how fans have reacted:

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Maybe to give confidence to their players and make them feel insecure as @ashwinravi99 did.

— sairam (@sairam2592) June 28, 2023

Selection clarity.

— 𝚂𝚑𝚊𝚢𝚊𝚔 𝙷𝚊𝚕𝚍𝚎𝚛🇮🇳 (@shayak_halder) June 28, 2023

To give at least 2 days to twitter 'experts' like us to argue/debate upon the selection.

— Harshit🏏🇮🇳 (@Harshit_217) June 28, 2023

It's a show of confidence.

— Sahil (@JaySapp12) June 28, 2023

Shows the strength of team and ultra confidence which India never had sadly 😭🤧

— ᗷOᗷᗷY ᕼᗩᖇIsᕼIT YADAV⚪️ (@harishit_bobby) June 28, 2023

Wasim bhai baat karke IPL mein bhi 1 ghante pehle ka team announcement karwa do. 30 mins pehle toss hota hai, 20 minute pehle playing XI pata chalta hai, team banane mein badi problem hoti hai 🤣🤣

— Bhupender Thakur (@MisterBeeTee) June 28, 2023

No no they have been doing this even before bazball. And I think I like this. They are prepared

— Archer (@poserarcher) June 28, 2023

Mostly show off , bazball is all about pomp and show more than anything
Real bazball would be they announced the playing XI before and play wood in place of tongue 🤪🤣🤣

— Raazi (@Rg86037221) June 28, 2023

I would say it's clarity of thought

— Ahmer Najeeb Satti (@AhmerNajeeb) June 28, 2023