Former England skippers question home side for poor shot selection to hand Australia advantage on Day 2 of Second Ashes Test

Team England has been criticized heavily by English legends David Gower, Michael Vaughan, and Nasser Hussain as they allowed Australia to come back in the game by throwing away their wickets after getting a great first-wicket partnership. England were off to a great start after wrapping up Australia's first innings for 416. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were looking very comfortable in the middle as the duo added 91 runs for the opening wicket.

However, Crawley gave away his wicket to Nathan Lyon while attempting a big shot and getting stumped. After that, Duckett kept playing some beautiful shots during his fantastic 98-run knock before attempting to hook Josh Hazlewood and putting the ball in David Warner's hands. After his wicket, England was reduced to 222/4 from a solid position of 188/1 at the end. Harry Brook and Ben Stokes ensured the hosts reached 278 without any further loss of wickets.

Meanwhile, Vaughan criticized Crawley's approach and argued that the current England team don't recognize when they are in a commanding position. There was no need for Crawley to throw his wicket at that point. Moreover, the former England skipper also raised the concern about 'Bazball' style and believes that it cannot be justified everytime keeping in mind the progression of the game.

"That's the issue with this England team; they don't recognize their position in the game. They simply keep using their Bazball approach. No justification exists for that dismissal," the former England captain said while providing analysis for the BBC.

On a pitch like this, you remark "well bowled" if you get a beauty. However, there won't be many beauty balls now on this surface. Just play sensibly!" Vaughan concluded.

I'm sick of people running down the pitch and missing it when they're playing well: Gower

While many other greats of England offered their views on England's 'Bazball' approach in the ongoing second Ashes Test. In the same vein, the legendary, David Gower, also came forward to criticize the hosts' strategy and demanded that Bazball become smarter since he was tired of seeing players lose away their wickets by dancing down the track. 

"I want Bazball to get smarter." "I'm sick of people running down the pitch and missing it when they're playing well," Gower said. 

Yet another former England captain provided his input on the batting approach of the home team. Nasser Hussain too questioned the poor shot selection by the England batters when there were three men out on the boundary waiting for them to make a mistake.

“At times the percentages weren’t in their favour. The pull and the hook shot – when there are two men out – OK. But when there are three men out, then suddenly the percentages, the risk-taking is not in your favour,” Hussain stated.