'Won't be surprised to see 400 being scored' - Michael Vaughan backs England to score big against India

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan believes that England have a chance to score 400-plus runs against India. The Three Lions are set to host India in a three-match ODI series starting July 12. England created a world record by smashing 498 runs against the Netherlands in their recent ODI series last month and have won eight out of their last nine ODI matches with the remaining one being a no result.

England’s batting lineup is looking more strong with the return of big names like Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, and Ben Stokes. Hence, Vaughan feels that breaching the 400-run mark is a possibility for the hosts. He has also backed young pacer Brydon Carse to do well against the Men in Blue.

“Livingstone will be there somewhere as well. You are never quite sure what the line-up will be, but they (Root, Bairstow & Stokes) will all play. Just watch out for Brydon Carse, the fast bowler from Durham. He bowls quickly. He has an angle similar to Gleeson so he will play a game or two,” Michael Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.

“England will be strong, the wicket will be flat. England scored 498 against the Netherlands, which won’t be possible against India, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see 400 being scored.”

Meanwhile, India managed to win the T20I series by 2-1 but England won the last match to regain some momentum. England’s last ODI defeat came against India in March 2021 but their current form definitely makes them favourites to win this home series.

Michael Vaughan bats for Jos Buttler’s promotion in batting order

Vaughan also shared his thoughts on the host’s starting eleven for the first match at The Oval in London. He believes that returning Joe Root, who last played an ODI in July 2021, will be playing at the number three position. Stokes played at the number three position and new white-ball captain Jos Buttler in five against India last year.

But Vaughan believes that Buttler should promote himself to the number four position, which is vacant after Eoin Morgan’s retirement last month. Buttler scored 86* and 162* against the Netherlands in his last two innings but had poor outings against India in T20Is last week.

“Roy and Bairstow will open in 50-over cricket with the glue Joe Root at No. 3. Then it’s all about picking out the hat and what combinations they have, could be Ben Stokes, could be Livingstone, Moeen Ali, or Harry Brook. Jos Buttler might bat at No. 4 in 50-over cricket,” Vaughan added.