Michael Vaughan condemns Harry Brook for being 'too aggressive against spin'

Amongst other batters, Harry Brook, was quite a disappointment for England in their recently-concluded T20I series against India. In the five innings, he registered only 91 runs at an average of 18.20. The vice-captain of the T20I side underperformed severely, much to the disappointment of the English cricket fraternity.

Former English skipper, Michael Vaughan, felt Brook did not live up to his potential of being a quality player of spin due to the recklessly assertive approach against the Indian spinners in the T20I series.

"They seemed to have a clear strategy to attack the first ball of the over. You see that in modern white-ball cricket, but that is actually what India want. They just have to play spin better. They have a problem against it, as we saw at the World Cups in 2023 and 2024. Harry Brook is definitely part of that problem. Brook can clearly come good against spin. He has got the game and the gift to overcome anything. I just think he is too aggressive against spin. He almost disrespects it, and thinks he can just whack it out of the ground,” wrote Vaughan in his column for The Telegraph.

I’d love him to watch Joe Root: Vaughan

Vaughan urged the young batter to follow the footsteps of England great Root's blueprint while facing spin, especially in subcontinent conditions.

"I’d love him to watch Joe Root, who is a master of going back, hitting into the leg side, nabbing a two, getting off strike. Sweeps and reverse sweeps to manoeuvre the field and create gaps. Do not just think boundary, boundary, boundary all the time. If Brook marries his own game with a bit of Root, he will be much better for it," he added.

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The first ODI of the three-match series between India and England is scheduled to commence on Thursday, February 6. After being overpowered in the T20Is, England would be keen on enhancing their performance in the 50-over leg, before making their way for the upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy.