Stokes' gamble to bowl has Vaughan scratching his head

ENGLAND'S kamikaze decision to bowl first was branded a "staggering" call by Ashes-winning former captain Michael Vaughan.

- By Mike Walters

Ben Stokes' gamble to give India first use of a flat pitch on a baking hot day backfired as twin centurions Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Shubman Gill fired the tourists to 359-3 on the opening day of the first Test at Headingley

And as England's Ashes countdown towards an era-defining series in Australia this winter began with thankless footslog, Vaughan waded in to criticise Stokes' bravado.