Michael Vaughan has criticised England’s approach in the third Test against India at Rajkot, describing them as lacking “common sense” as they slid towards a massive defeat.
England were thrashed inside four days to trail 2-1 in the series. After two days, the game was evenly poised, a century from Ben Duckett boosting England to 207-2 at stumps in response to India’s 445. However, England squandered their strong position with a succession of rash strokes, losing 8-95 on the third day and were then powerless as India racked up 430-4 declared. Chasing 557, England collapsed again to 122 all out.
“I am afraid Bazball has been exposed this week,” Michael Vaughan told BBC Sport. “It’s great when it works. The first Test was a pitch that did all sorts so I get Bazball on that pitch but not the last two where the pitches have been absolutely fine to just play with positive intent but more so common sense.”
Vaughan added that this performance should be “a wake-up call” for England.
“Even when this England team have lost in the last 2 years you have always been able to take positives or they haven’t been hammered,” he posted on X. “This is looking like a wake up call that surely sends a message you can’t just play one way against quality teams.”
Even when this England team have lost in the last 2 years you have always been able to take positives .. or they haven’t been hammered .. this is looking like a wake up call that surely sends a message you can’t just play one way against quality teams .. #INDvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 18, 2024
Ahead of this Test, Vaughan criticised Joe Root for getting “too wrapped in Bazball”. The No.4 has averaged 12.83 in the series thus far, his career average dipping from over 50 to close to 49.
“He has 10,000 Test runs playing like Joe Root,” Vaughan wrote for the Telegraph. “He doesn’t need to be a Bazballer. It is time for someone in the management to put an arm around Joe and say ‘please just be yourself’. I think it’s as simple as the fact that he is too wrapped up in Bazball, the whole ethos of excitement and entertainment.”
