TRENT BRIDGE TEST

England batting has been appalling: Vaughan

by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on

England were bowled out in less than 52 overs in their first innings © Getty

Michael Vaughan, the former England skipper, was unimpressed with England's batting show against South Africa in Trent Bridge after the hosts were skittled for 205 in their first innings of the second Test. After having beaten South Africa comprehensively in the first Test by a margin of 211 runs, the hosts conceded a lead of 130, which saw the visitors end the day 205 runs ahead.

"The England batting has been appalling," said Vaughan on BBC Test Match Special on Saturday (July 15). "Maybe it's a lack of respect about what the game is."

Vaughan questioned the strategy employed by the Englishmen, who he felt were overtly aggressive against the South Africans, which led to their eventual downfall. He even slammed the batsmen for not trusting their techniques. "They look like they are playing a Twenty20 game. I look at the approach - yes, the ball has done a little bit but it's not been drastic. They have this approach of attack, attack, attack. There is no thought or feeling of seeing off a bowler or wearing a team down.

"They (batsmen) don't trust their techniques to stay in long enough," he said of England, who after losing two wickets cheaply had stabilised thanks to their middle order of Gary Ballance, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, who notched up scores of 27, 78 and 45 respectively.

"That's a concern. England regularly collapse. It's always when the ball does a little bit. Look at the way South Africa played. A lot of England's players look like they are premeditating their shots. The best way is to watch the ball and react," added Vaughan, who believed that the England batsmen should have spent some time in the middle and seen the phase through if the ball was swinging.

"I worry about the mentality of the Test batting because as soon as the things get difficult - it swings around or spins - they play aggressively."

Vaughan also highlighted England's need to go batsmen-heavy, rather than have six bowling options like they do at the moment. "England are a batter light," said he said. "This is the kind of team you pick after winning Test match after Test match. You have three all-rounders in Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow, so pack the batting. All the players from Joe Root down will give you chances.

"England lost eight Tests last year. They need to pack the batting. They are not good enough or winning enough games to go with that line up," he added.

© Cricbuzz

TAGS

RELATED STORIES