Join the Miguel Delaney Inside Football Join the Miguel Delaney Inside newsletter to get exclusive access and unparalleled insight. Football Join the Miguel Delaney Inside newsletter Football Michael Vaughan thinks it would be a good idea to send out a newsletter “amateurish” if England maintained plans to rest key players from a practice match ahead of the pink-ball Ashes Test in Brisbane in a fortnight.Vaughan was speaking in the aftermath of England slipping 1-0 down in the series after an eight-wicket defeat by Australia inside two days at Perth, where their two innings lasted a combined 67.3 overs.A number of former England players, including Vaughan, were critical of them having only one warm-up prior to the curtain-raiser and the result is only likely to increase scrutiny on their preparation.Those who featured this week were expected to skip a two-day match under lights next weekend against a Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, but England head coach Brendon McCullum hinted afterwards they could review the decision.“I would say it’s amateurish if they don’t go and play,” England’s Ashes 2005-winning captain Vaughan told the BBC’s Test Match Special.“What harm is playing two days of cricket with the pink ball under lights? What damage is it going to do you as a team and a player to play a pink-ball game to prepare yourself to play a pink-ball Test.”Vaughan was asked if only batters should spend some time in middle before the second test at the Gabba starting on December 4. “The bowlers too. They’ve played two days of cricket.“They’ve been out in the field for 70 overs. They’re professional cricketers. I can’t be so old school to suggest that by playing cricket, you might get a little bit better.”Having been skittled for 172 after winning the toss, England’s batters were bailed out by the bowlers, whose fine collective display, led by Ben Stokes’ five for 23, demolished Australia for 132.England were 65 for one just after lunch on day two, leading by 105, but imploded to 164 all out, leaving the door ajar for Australia, who cruised to what appeared a tricky 205-run victory target thanks to Travis Head’s majestic 123 in just 83 balls.“The batters have completely let the team down,” Vaughan said. “England have got all the tools required to be successful in Australia, but you can’t win if you don’t use the tools correctly.“This week, particularly with the bat in hand, they’ve just not…
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2025-11-22 12:19:47
