Former England captain Michael Vaughan has emphasized the importance of England getting more cricket practice before the Second Test following their swift defeat in Perth at the start of the Ashes series.
Criticism had been directed at the England squad for inadequate preparation leading up to The Ashes in Australia, sparking debates between former players and the current team.
With Australia taking the lead in the series, Vaughan suggests that England players need additional match practice during the two-week gap before the Second Test in Brisbane to better equip themselves, especially the batters.
Vaughan pointed out that the solitary warm-up game England played did not sufficiently ready them for the challenges ahead, stressing the need for batters to spend more time at the crease.
Speaking to the BBC, Vaughan highlighted the importance of England practicing with the pink ball, stating that more game time would enhance their performance. He expressed confidence in England’s skills but acknowledged the difficulty of playing in Australia and the challenge of being 0-1 down in the series.
Looking ahead, the Lions game is scheduled, and decisions on player selection will be made after reflecting on the Perth defeat, according to head coach Brendon McCullum.
England’s captain, Ben Stokes, defended the team’s preparation methods, emphasizing their trust in their process and the hard work they put in daily to improve their game. Stokes remained resolute in their approach, refusing to dwell on the past and maintaining confidence in their strategies moving forward.