Michael Vaughan's pointed warning to Australia ahead of Ashes showdown
Former captain Michael Vaughan has backed England to maintain its aggressive 'Bazball' approach in next year's Ashes series, suggesting it may bring Australia's all-conquering bowling attack undone. Arguing the last seven months of cricket – in both the white-ball game and red - is the best England has ever produced, Vaughan sees no reason why the Poms won’t continue the all-out attack policy that has proved so successful under Kiwi-born coach Brendon McCullum.
He is encouraging the home side to stick with its entertaining, up-tempo style against an Australian line-up featuring the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon. The Aussie quartet has taken 1181 Test wickets between them.
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Responding to a tweet from Sydney-based Daily Telegraph reporter Dean Ritchie, who pointed out Australia's attack is a step up from what England has faced this year, a brazen Vaughan went on the front foot. He responded: "It’s done ok against Boult, Southee, Bumrah, Rabada, Norje, Jamieson & Jansen so it should be ok."
It’s done ok against Boult,Southee,Bumrah,Rabada,Norje,jamieson & Jansen so it should be ok .. #OnOn https://t.co/ltxhcY4zPF
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 20, 2022
After wrapping up an historic series clean sweep against Pakistan in Pakistan, McCullum indicated there would be no turning back from the 'no fear' approach and attitude that has delivered nine Test wins from 10 games under the McCullum-Ben Stokes regime.
"What we have seen over the past seven or eight months is the skill and talent is not in question," he explained. "All we try and do is remain consistent with the messaging, have a smile on your face whether things work out or don’t, and encourage guys to allow their talent to come out without the fear of failure."
New approach paying dividends for England
Skipper Ben Stokes added: “When you take that burden off individuals and the team, you see players excelling and showing more within themselves.
"If the ambition (is) to win and play an entertaining brand of cricket, that’s going to override any fear of failure whatsoever. When that fear of failure isn’t there. you just make better decisions.
"Releasing that failure and fear off everyone is why we have produced the results."
I will argue the last 7 months of English men’s cricket is the best of all time .. 9 out of 10 Test wins playing a brand we have never witnessed before and a WC win .. more than happy to argue my point over a pint .. #PAKvsENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 20, 2022
Former Australia skipper Steve Smith, who will feature heavily in next year's Ashes in England, has previously cast doubts about the sustainability of Bazball cricket.
"I've watched a little bit of it, it's certainly been entertaining, they're coming out playing their shots," he said.
"(But) if you come out on a wicket that’s got some grass and Hazlewood, Cummins and Starc are rolling in at you, is it going to be the same? We'll see what happens."
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