'Please explain this to me because I don’t understand it' - Kevin Pietersen quizzed Brendon McCullum after England's first innings declaration

England's defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Australia in a dramatic Ashes opener at Edgbaston has raised question marks about Ben Stokes' decision to declare on the first day of the series. Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen revealed seeking an explanation from Brendon McCullum after the premature declaration.

Ben Stokes startled a fair few when he decided to declare England's first innings despite batting maestro Joe Root going strong at the crease. Even though England had a good score on the board at that time, it felt like the hosts left a few runs in the tank. A narrow defeat on a dramatic final day raised further questions about Stokes' decision on the first day of the series opener.

“I love the positivity. But it’s just this series, in particular, that I still need to get my head around. I actually walked up to McCullum on the Saturday and said, ‘Please explain this to me because I don’t understand it’. I have done that my whole career. I gave you a spray in Australia in 2006. I was like, ‘Dude what are you saying and why are you saying this?'" Pietersen said in an interaction with former England captain Nasser Hussain for the Daily Mail.

I am still not 100 per cent sure, I would never have declared: Pietersen

While Pietersen is a big admirer of England's reinvigorated approach in red-ball cricket, he is still unsure about some of their decisions on the field. The former skipper stated he would've never declared if his team was in the same position, especially against arch-rivals Australia in a series of that magnitude.

"We are at a time where Test cricket needs something to turn itself around because there is so much competition. But I am answering this slowly because I am still not 100 per cent sure… No, I would never have declared. Because against Australia, first day of the Ashes, 393, thinking you’ve got enough on a flat wicket," he added.