Former England captain Michael Vaughan says England should curb their aggressive “Bazball” instincts and revert to a more traditional, cautious approach for the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.
Australia lead the series 1-0 after England were bowled out in a dramatic two-day defeat in Perth, where the tourists’ attacking shot-making attracted sharp criticism. The Brisbane Test will be a day-night match with a pink ball — a format Australia have dominated, winning 13 of 14 matches and all three encounters against England.
On BBC Radio 5 Live’s Ashes preview, Vaughan argued England showed an element of arrogance in Perth, often attacking when conditions demanded more restraint. He warned that when the ball is “zipping around” batsmen should adopt an old-school mindset rather than always looking to dominate.
Vaughan was careful to say he was not asking England to bat like the ultra-defensive greats all the time, but he urged players to use common sense and recognise when to be more circumspect. “They’re brilliant entertainers, but they haven’t won a five-Test series for several years. My tip is: change what isn’t working,” he said.
A particular focus for Vaughan is how England plan to handle Mitchell Starc. The left-arm quick has 81 wickets at an average of 17.09 in day-night Tests and is widely regarded as the most dangerous bowler with the pink ball. Vaughan suggested England should be prepared to leave deliveries outside off stump rather than offering aggressive drives into Starc’s strengths, stressing the need for game awareness and patience.
Vaughan also questioned England’s bowling resources for Brisbane’s heat and bounce. With Mark Wood sidelined by injury, he said England will need someone capable of long spells and wicket-taking potency. He debated the merits of selecting a spinner such as Shoaib Bashir or an all-round option like Will Jacks, but favoured an all-pace attack tailored to Gabba conditions.
“If England bowl well with their seamers they will take 20 wickets,” Vaughan said. “At the moment I wouldn’t pick a spinner; we don’t have one suited to these conditions. I’d play my quicks. Josh Tongue is a bowler who takes wickets — he’d be my pick.”
Finally, Vaughan urged captain Ben Stokes to be bolder with his own bowling plans. He believes Stokes should bowl himself earlier in an innings to unsettle opponents and grab momentum, comparing the potential impact to the way Ian Botham could change a game.
Whatever changes England adopt, Vaughan concluded, the side must raise their standards significantly if they are to compete in the pink-ball arena at the Gabba.
