Former England captain Michael Vaughan used the examples of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to urge Ben Stokes and his team to improve their game ahead of next year’s Ashes in Australia. Vaughan’s comments came after England’s heavy 423-run defeat to New Zealand in the third Test in Hamilton.
Kohli and Rohit both played at deliveries outside the off-stump in the ongoing Brisbane Test, edging them to the keeper. The two senior players were dismissed early, contributing little to India’s first-innings total.
Meanwhile, England’s loss to the Black Caps was largely due to their poor first-innings batting. In his column for The Telegraph, Vaughan advised England’s batters to avoid playing deliveries outside the body when they face Australia.
“India skid the ball on and pitches do not bounce as much in England so I have less concern about that series. But a few England players must realise that in Australia with the bounce they cannot throw their hands at the ball with little foot movement.”
“Look at Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Brisbane. Both were dismissed playing with their hands away from their bodies. If you do that, it brings snicks into play and it creates a lot of danger,” he wrote.
England struggled to 143 chasing 347, with New Zealand setting a 658 target. England managed 234 in response, losing by 423 runs, but still won the series 2-1.
“They won’t be judged on winning away in New Zealand”- Michael Vaughan
Vaughan wants England to develop into a great team and has urged them to keep pushing forward, even after winning the series. He added:
“I would love England to become a great team but that only happens when sides win big series. They are not going to be judged on winning away in New Zealand. They will be judged on what happens next summer against India and in Australia.”
“They won the first two Tests in New Zealand playing their expansive style at the right time. But great sports teams do not stop there. They finish the job off. They do not lose by 423 runs.”
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