Root Has To ‘Lie A Bit And Con’ To Convince His Side Are Good Enough To Beat Australia, Says Michael Vaughan

Apr 6, 2019 at 2:09 PM

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Root Has To ‘Lie A Bit And Con’ To Convince His Side Are Good Enough To Beat Australia, Says Michael Vaughan

England is just a week away from travelling to Australia to commence the much-awaited Ashes battle. The nature of the contest between the two teams can be perfectly described as the most prestigious challenge the two teams put in front of each other in the course of their cricketing history.

The last few weeks have witnessed a lot of buzz surrounding the possible squad combinations, injury concerns and more interestingly the Ben Stokes bar brawl.

David Warner, Bristol Fight, Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Punch, Walkabout Bar, Birmingham, Ashes 2017-18
In Stokes’ case, police asked witnesses to come forward. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

At the onset of all the Ashes debate, which started a few months ago after the end of home series against South Africa, England seemed to be having the advantage over the Aussies who were busy getting there trying to put things together in their injury-hit bowling department.

However, soon after the end of the series, England was made to make their assessment regarding their inexperienced looking batting line-up which became a point of concern unquestionably following the underwhelming performances from a couple of promising names like Gary Ballance and Tom Westley.

But, things took a horrible turn after the arrest of vice-captain Ben Stokes.

Skipper Joe Root now could be without his trusted compatriot and the team’s most valuable all-rounder, and the onus will be him to instil confidence in the side before they mark the start of the Ashes defence.

Former English skipper Michael Vaughan, who also was the leader of the side during the 2005 Ashes series, feels that Root has the liberty to “lie a bit and con” to keep the team in high spirits.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: England captain Joe Root walks across the outfield after winning the 3rd Investec Test match between England and the West Indies at Lord’s Cricket Ground on September 9, 2017, in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

“His (Root’s) greatest challenge is going to be to convince the team they can win,” said Vaughan.

“It may be that he has to lie a bit and con them. He might have to blow up a few tyres that might be flat and convince them they are good enough to beat this Australian team.

“I don’t think it is right to go there and talk down the Aussies. I’ve been around captains that do that and it doesn’t work. It is worth saying they are good. They are not what they were 20 years ago but they are dangerous and you know what they will produce over five matches.”

Michael Vaughan. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Vaughan also admitted that the Australians remain a formidable side at home despite their recent struggles. He rightly suggested the English side to be prepared for a tough challenge.

“I don’t see them blowing Australia away in three days,” said the former captain.

“They will win over there by playing how they did in 2010-11, by scoring lots of runs in the first innings, batting for periods of time, nullifying good spells of bowling and not thinking ‘we are going to attack all the time.”

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