Michael Vaughan wants Joe Root to be aggressive in the Ashes

Former English skipper Michael Vaughan believes that the current English side needs to be consistent if they wish to find success in the Ashes. He remarked that the English team has had issues with consistency in the recent years. As per the quotes in Wisden India, Michael Vaughan mentioned that in the West Indies series, the team could afford losing a Test, but when it comes to the Ashes, they will have to be on the top of their game every time.

He recalled the last time when England had toured Australia for the coveted glory. They were brutally beaten 5-0 by the hosts back then. However, times have changed now. Back then, the team was going through a tough transition and administration period. Now, they look much more balanced as a team.

“The way the team has played for the past few years is they have been inconsistent and Root will want to bring consistency. Against West Indies in the second Test they fought their way back into the game after being outplayed in the first two days and only just lost. Lose the first day against Australia and you are gone,” quoted Michael Vaughan.

“The last memory for these players or some of them of touring Australia is the 5-0 thrashing. There was turmoil, the (Kevin) Pietersen fallout, (Graeme) Swann retiring abruptly and management issues. They will try and put it right this winter. It won’t be easy but if they can get something out of Brisbane then there is hope. Lose and it will be difficult, but above all don’t get blown away so at least morale is all right coming to Adelaide,” recalled the former skipper.

Be ruthless

Adding further on the same note, Michael Vaughan advised the English side to be aggressive and ruthless. The first Test of the Ashes 2017-18 commences on November 23. The team has no more Test matches to play before the first Ashes Test.

“You have to win these so you arrive in Brisbane with strong morale. Don’t feel as if you have to play 13-a-side in these games, where everyone gets a piece of the action. Be ruthless in your selection, get your first XI out and into form going into the first Test,” quipped Vaughan.

On skipper Joe Root

Talking about skipper Joe Root, Michael Vaughan remarked that Root is lucky to have a strong bunch of players in his team. He backed the idea of declaration in the Headingley Test by Root against West Indies. Albeit they lost the game, Vaughan seems impressed with the approach that Root showed. He hopes that Root carries forward the same aggressive approach against the Aussies in the Ashes.

“I’ve said before that Joe as captain has been given a great pass, with the players he has. His declaration at Headingley (against the West Indies, setting them a 322-run target with just over a day’s play remaining), that is the way I expect him to play cricket. Even though it didn’t work, if they had caught their catches it would have done. I am excited how he has gone about his business and I am excited as to where he can take the team. However, I still don’t think we will know fundamentally what sort of captain Joe is for a year or so,” concluded Michael Vaughan.