Alastair Cook launches stinging attack on defensive Aussie tactics on day one of the

England cricket great Alastair Cook has called out Pat Cummins’ defensive tactics during day one of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, stating it ‘felt a bit un-Australian.’

The frenetic hosts declared after just 78 overs, having plundered 8-393 with Joe Root’s century the highlight.

And from the outset, it appeared the Aussies, usually famed for their aggressive nature in the cricket field, had gone into their shell.

‘It feels a bit un-Australian. They normally fight fire with fire,’ former England captain and decorated batsman Cook said on the BBC‘s Test Match Special.

‘I’ve never seen Australia with four men on the boundary.’

England cricket great Alastair Cook has called out Pat Cummins’ defensive tactics during day one of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, stating it ‘felt a bit un-Australian’

From the outset in the field, Australia were defensive, which shocked the likes of Cook and Aussie cricket legend Ricky Ponting (pictured, under pressure captain Pat Cummins)

Fellow cricket great Ricky Ponting couldn’t believe what he was seeing, with sweepers on the boundary rope either side of the field each time a new batsman walked to the crease.

Polarising ex-England star Kevin Pietersen continued the pile on, stating: ‘Australia have got it wrong, but from an England perspective it is fantastic to see Australia so defensive.

‘I just think first morning of an Ashes series, I would have thought that Pat Cummins would have said, ‘OK England, give it a go. We don’t mind. Hit us for six fours … a couple of sixes, no problem. Then we will go to plan B.

‘I think that they went straight to plan-B.’

Joe Root was brutal in belting an aggressive century (pictured) against the Aussies, who gave England plenty of opportunities to score runs

Steve Smith (pictured) reacts after missing a chance to catch England’s Harry Brooks 

Australia will start day two at 0-14, with openers David Warner (eight not out) and Usman Khawaja (four not out) successfully navigating four overs late in the day.

Ben Stokes’ aggressive declaration leading into stumps stunned many cricket fans, but it is part of England’s much hyped ‘Bazball’ mentality, a nod to coach Brendon McCullum.

‘It was a bold call, it was a good call,’ England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow told Sky Sports after himself belting 78 from as many balls.

‘There will be conversations around it, but no-one likes going out there with 20 minutes and [seeing out] four overs… especially when you’ve got Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson running in.’