'This England side is to be feared' - Michael Vaughan issues Ashes warning to arch-rivals Australia

Team England is on a roll as they recently won the second Test match and clinched the three-match Test series against New Zealand. The home side’s batting department was excellent, particularly Jonny Bairstow as the Three Lions went on to chase 299 runs in just 50 overs. The Three Lions also won the first Test by five wickets.

Meanwhile, former England skipper Michael Vaughan has issued a warning for England’s arch-rival Australia and said that both teams will go toe to toe in the next Ashes series. The veteran cricketer also emphasized the fact that the Three Lions, under the new leadership of Ben Stokes and guidance of Brendon McCullum, will look to create its dominance in the longest format of the game.

It is the same team but they have been freed up: Michael Vaughan

“This will send a message around the cricketing world that this England Test side is to be feared and they will go toe-to-toe with Australia next summer. This team is very much in its infancy but after only eight days of Test cricket we know the Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes combination have ripped off the shackles,” Vaughan wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

“It is the same team, more or less, but they have been freed up and it has totally changed their psychology,” he  added.

Talking about the second Test match, Bairstow played a blinder of an innings as he scored 136 runs off just 92 balls, stroking 14 fours and seven maximums during the second innings. Skipper Stokes also played an excellent unbeaten knock of 75 runs off just 70 balls to take his side over the line.

With the series already captured, the home side will look to win the third and final Test match to complete a thumping whitewash. The third match will be played at Headingley, Leeds from June 23 (Thursday) to June 27 (Monday). Meanwhile, New Zealand can’t be taken lightly despite the two defeats as they have played some quality cricket in this series.