England’s batters must know when to set aside their attacking “Bazball” approach and adopt a more cautious, old-school method in the second Ashes Test, says former captain Michael Vaughan.
Australia lead the series 1-0 after England were dismissed in a shock two-day defeat in Perth, where the tourists’ shot selection drew heavy criticism. The next Test is a day-night match in Brisbane with a pink ball — a format Australia have dominated, winning 13 of 14 such matches, including all three against England.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Ashes preview, Vaughan said there was an “arrogance” to England’s approach in Perth and urged greater game awareness at the Gabba. “This England side dance down. They run towards the danger,” he said. “I’m not too sure that’s a sensible way to go with the ball zipping around. Play the old school way.”
Vaughan clarified he was not recommending England retreat into a shell or bat like Geoff Boycott or Alastair Cook all the time, but asked players to use common sense when the ball is moving. “They are the great entertainers but they haven’t won a five-match series in the last three or four years. I will give England a tip. It’s not working.”
He also urged a measured plan to counter Mitchell Starc, who has 81 wickets at an average of 17.09 in day-night Tests and is widely regarded as the leading pink-ball bowler. “When Mitchell Starc comes into the attack, he’s the aggressor and has to take wickets,” Vaughan said. “So if you leave a few outside off stump, there’s no way Starc isn’t going to bowl one straight because he is there to get wickets. It’s having that sense and game awareness. Whatever England do, they have to play a lot better. They need a stronger game for longer periods.”
Vaughan expressed concern about England’s bowlers coping with Brisbane heat and said they will need someone to bowl large spells. With Mark Wood injured, England could consider a spinner such as Shoaib Bashir or all-round options like Will Jacks, but Vaughan prefers an all-pace attack. “England will get 20 wickets if they bowl well with the seam bowlers,” he said. “Personally, I wouldn’t play a spinner. England don’t have a good enough spinner for these conditions at the moment, so I’d be playing all my quicks. I can’t imagine Will Jacks or Shoaib Bashir getting four or five wickets at the Gabba. I love Josh Tongue. You look at his record and he’s a wicket taker. He would come in for me.”
Vaughan also urged captain Ben Stokes to bowl himself earlier when England are fielding. “I like the idea of Ben Stokes bowling early. It was crying out for him to bowl earlier in Perth. He needs to realise how good a bowler he is,” Vaughan added. “For England to win down here, he has to grab the ball earlier. He is the bowler who can really spice it up and, like Ian Botham did, has that knack of taking wickets.”
