Vaughan 'staggered' by Stokes decision in warning ahead of India series
England face India in a Test series this summer ahead of the Ashes a few months later and Ben Stokes' lack of time batting has stunned former captain Michael Vaughan
Former England captain Michael Vaughan insists he's "staggered" by the lack of action Ben Stokes has had ahead of a vital few months, which begins with a five-Test series against India before the Ashes this winter.
Stokes remains the team's talisman and leader and will play five matches in seven weeks against India, starting this week at Headingley. However he's had a lack of time at the crease, which comes after a dip in form last season.
Vaughan is surprised the 34-year-old hasn't looked to get some minutes in the middle to ensure he's got the rhythm with the bat. He insists Stokes is crucial to England's hopes to ending their recent frustration in Australia, but only if he's on song with the ball and the bat.
He told the Daily Mail: "I've been staggered by the lack of time in the middle that Ben's had as a batter. He didn't have a great year last year when he got his injuries.
"A Scottie Scheffler or a footballer going into a major event would be playing. He's had no game time. Why wouldn't you want to play for England Lions just for a knock, not to bowl? He was bowling against Zimbabwe, and clearly he's fine, but why wouldn't you just want a bit of time in the middle? Call me old school, but I think it's quite nice to go out and hit a few balls.
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"England can only win in Australia with him, and that's him being the all-rounder. If he goes to Australia just as the batter, that completely breaks the balance of the team and as much as he's a genius captain, the team are 30-40 per cent better when he bowls. To win in Australia, he has to be bowling and batting well."
England have won four of their last five series, only going down in Pakistan. Prior to that they were well beaten in India but now have the chance to avenge that series loss from 2023/24. Brendon McCullum's team have stuck by their entertaining principles but Vaughan has challenged them to get results whilst playing their brand - or risk having an unwanted tag.
He said: "Now it's about winning. Look at 2019 when we won the World Cup. Did England play the cricket that they'd been playing previously to win that final? Did they heck. They had to dig deep and play the old school horrible way, but they won.
"They are remembered as winners. I always revert back to the Newcastle football side of the 1990s - the Kevin Keegan era. Bloody great, we talk about them, but they didn't win. Make sure you're not that. Make sure that you're not the most entertaining England side that's ever been, but not won an Ashes. Don't leave it until 2027."
He also added: "I just want to see that ruthless approach this summer and if you get on a winning run, win every game. I look at all high-level sports teams and I don't see a relaxed environment. I see a high intensity, high performance environment, and that's sometimes tough, hard work. It's not always smiles and patting on the back."
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