Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe

‘For years we beat Australia & India in our conditions, but now we’re struggling’: Vaughan slams Joe Root & Co

Sep 08, 2021 11:32 AM IST

Michael Vaughan stated that England needs to show more character and become more "battle-hardened" when the chips are down and the pressure is on.

Following England's 151-run defeat against India in the fourth Test at The Oval, former captain Michael Vaughan penned a column in which he pointed out the flaws within the current team.

Michael Vaughan(Twitter)

While writing for the Daily Telegraph, cricketer-turned-commentator Vaughan stated that England needs to show more character and become more "battle-hardened" when the chips are down and the pressure is on.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

"For years we beat Australia and India in our conditions, but now we are struggling. England have to work on how to become more battle-hardened when the pressure is on."

Root and Co., by their own admission, let the emotions get the better of them in the second Test at Lord's and eventually lost by 157 runs. In the recently-concluded test, they led the visitors put on 191 after being down at 127/7 at one point in the first innings. In the second, the English team let India score 466.

ALSO READ | ‘England underestimated Team India’: Gavaskar says Root & Co should’ve focused on present challenge instead of The Ashes

Vaughan, adding to his point, said that England lacked variation in flat conditions. He was also critical of England's batting, saying that they were sub-par in the first innings as they scored just 290.

"They lack pace and variation to make things happen in flat conditions. This Test team is dependent on the pitch helping them.

"England do not make enough runs when it is flat and played poor strokes through lapses in concentration," he rued.

Meanwhile, skipper Joe Root lauded Jasprit Bumrah for his game-changing spell.

“Credit to India, they got the ball to reverse. I thought Bumrah's spell was the real turning point of the game. From our side, we'll have to look at other areas where we missed opportunities, maybe we should have made more of an advantage with the first-innings lead and should have taken the chances that were offered. 

ALSO READ | ‘People said India would miss Ashwin. Kohli said, ‘No, we won't’: Naseer Hussain hails Virat’s captaincy in Oval Test

“We always look to get better, he's (on Bumrah) a superb bowler and at times we need to be realistic and accept that he bowled really well, that was world-class bowling," said Root.

Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Scores, and get exclusive insights with the RCB vs KKR Live Score, IPL 2024 Schedule, match highlights, and more. Explore a comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and Orange Cap in IPL 2024, check Virat Kohli performance and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times website and app.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
OPEN APP