Former captain Michael Vaughan says England’s batsmen need to learn when to park their aggressive ‘baseball’ style and adopt a more cautious “old school” approach during the second Ashes Test.
Australia leads the series 1-0 after England’s surprise two-day defeat in the first Test in Perth, where the tourists’ shot selection was heavily criticized.
Ben Stokes’ team will now face the Australian team in the day-night Test in Brisbane which will be played with the pink ball.
Australia has an excellent record in day-night Tests and have won 13 out of 14, including all three matches against England.
Vaughan said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Ashes second Test preview show that there was “arrogance” about England’s approach in Perth and that they needed better game awareness at the Gabba.
“This England team is dancing down the drain. They are running towards danger,” Vaughan said.
“I’m not sure that’s a wise way to move the ball over. Play the old school way.
“I’m not saying go into a shell and play like Geoff Boycott or Alastair Cook all the time. But please use your senses when the ball is moving around a bit.
“They are great entertainers but they haven’t won a five-match series in the last three or four years. I would give England a tip. It’s not working.”
Vaughan said England, in particular, should frustrate left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc with a more measured approach in Brisbane.
Starc has taken 81 wickets in day-night matches at an average of 17.09 and is considered the world’s best bowler with the pink ball in his hand.
“When Mitchell Starc comes into the attack, he is aggressive and he has to take wickets,” said Vaughan, who led England to the Ashes series win in 2005.
“So if you leave something outside the off stump, there is no way that Starc is not going to bowl a straight ball because he is there to take wickets. He has that understanding and awareness of the game.
“No matter what England do, they have to play much better. They need to play stronger for longer periods.”
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