'The declaration showed that they underestimated Australia' - Salman Butt slams England after defeat in 1st Ashes Test

Former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt has slammed England's decision to declare on Day 1 of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham. On Day 1 of the first Test, England captain Ben Stokes declared at 393/8 with centurion Joe Root (118* off 152) at the crease. The hosts' decision backfired as Usman Khawaja (141 off 321) hit a spectacular century to help Australia score 386 in their first innings. 

England batters struggled with the bat in the second innings against the Australian bowling attack and got bowled out for 273. However, on the rain-curtailed Day 5, Australia chased down the 281-run target and registered a two-wicket win to take a 1-0 lead in the five-game series.

While reviewing the first Test on his YouTube channel, Butt said that the Stokes-led side made many mistakes. The 38-year-old also said that the declaration on the first day demonstrated that they have misjudged Pat Cummins and Co.

He added that England's policy of pushing it quickly fell flat against the experienced Australian side. He went on to say that Australia were fully aware that England might continue to play like this because it is how they generally play.

"England also made many mistakes. The declaration showed that they underestimated Australia. Their policy of doing things quickly won't work against Australia because the latter aren't an inexperienced team.

"They have experience, aggression and also aren't someone whose focus is not Test cricket. Who knows, England might continue to do this still since they're adamant about it," Butt said.

In addition, the former cricketer questioned England's decision not to field a genuine speedster for the short ball ploy during the match. He stated that no matter how short England bowl, the Aussie batters will not be worried at that pace, adding that Ollie Robinson would not become Mark Wood, nor will James Anderson or Stuart Broad.

"If they had to use the short ball plot so much, why didn't they play a proper speedster? Why all medium pacers? No matter how much short you bowl, the batters won't get troubled at that pace. Ollie Robinson suddenly won't become Mark Wood, neither will Anderson or Broad," he added.

 If you knew the wicket was this flat and placid, then you should have played Mark Wood: Butt

Salman Butt further said that England's pace attack did not look threatening during the first Test. If England had known the wicket was as flat and placid, the 38-year-old argued, they should have played Wood, who would have bent his back and could have made things happen. He believed Moeen Ali's injury meant the hosts couldn't use spin as much as they wanted to.

"England didn't pose any threat in their pace attack. If you knew the wicket was this flat and placid, then you should have played Mark Wood, who would have bent his back and could have made things happen. Moeen Ali's finger getting injured only added to England's problems," the former cricketer further added.