The background:
After a brilliant performance in the opening Test of the ongoing series against South Africa, England came up with a dismal batting performance in the first innings of the ongoing second Test at Trent Bridge. Replying to Proteas’ first innings total of 335 runs, Joe Root & Co. were bowled out for just 205 inside a day with six of their batsmen failing to cross the double-digit mark. The visitors, nevertheless, have put themselves in a commanding position after finishing the second day on 75 for 1, extending the overall lead to 205.
The story:
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has come down hard on the English batsmen for their ‘appalling’ show at Trent Bridge.
“The England batting has been appalling,” said Vaughan on BBC Test Match Special on Saturday (July 15). “Maybe it’s a lack of respect for what the game is.”
Vaughan backed his claim by stating that his compatriots were far too ambitious while batting on a pace-friendly pitch.
“They look like they are playing a Twenty20 game. I look at the approach – yes, the ball has done a little bit but it’s not been drastic. They have this approach of attack, attack, attack. There is no thought or feeling of seeing off a bowler or wearing a team down,” he said.
“They (batsmen) don’t trust their techniques to stay in long enough,” he added.
Joe Root’s 76-ball 78 runs totally proves Vaughan’s claims as barring the England skipper and Jonny Bairstow (45), none of the England batsmen crossed the 30-run mark.
Vaughan also expressed his apprehensions over England’s growing concerns of collapses every now and then. After Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings early departure, Gary Ballance (27), Root and Bairstow had propelled England to 143 for 3 before they lost they lost their last 7 wickets for just 62 runs.
“That’s a concern. England regularly collapse. It’s always when the ball does a little bit. Look at the way South Africa played. A lot of England’s players look like they are premeditating their shots. The best way is to watch the ball and react,” said Vaughan.
“I worry about the mentality of the Test batting because as soon as the things get difficult – it swings around or spins – they play aggressively,” he added.
Vaughan also advised England to include more batsmen in the team.
“England are a batter light,” said he said. “This is the kind of team you pick after winning Test match after Test match. You have three all-rounders in Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow, so pack the batting. All the players from Joe Root down will give you chances,” said the cricketer-turned-commentator.
“England lost eight Tests last year. They need to pack the batting. They are not good enough or winning enough games to go with that lineup,” he added.