Former England captain Michael Vaughan has said that he believed the Ben Stokes-led side had “the tools” to win their first Ashes series Down Under since 2010-11. The 51-year-old urged the visitors to do the basics right and look to win the first Test at Perth, starting on November 21, to set the tone for the rest of the series.
“They have the tools to win in Australia. Good batting, proper pace and great leadership. In Stokes, they have the best player on either side, when he is fit and firing. If he is, their chances of winning rise again.”
“I think they have to win the first Test in Perth to win the series. They are good at bouncing back, but it would already be a long way back. How do they win? Well, first is to do the basics really well. The basics generally rule the roost in Australia, where you earn the right to be flamboyant. Catching is so important Down Under, with the cordon often deciding matches. Being blown away on day one would be a nightmare for England. They need to use their brains, which they should not confuse with playing negatively,” Vaughan wrote in his column for “The Telegraph”.
Vaughan also urged England to ensure that the debutants Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett are put under pressure from the opening ball.
“I would get after the debutants if I were England. There’s one opening the batting, Jake Weatherald, and one likely to open the bowling, Brendan Doggett. Both are experienced first-class cricketers, but what you’ve done at state or county level counts for absolutely nothing until you’ve played international cricket. Lots of good players have failed to make that step up. You never know until you get there, and both men will have their moments of doubt on the day,” he said.
The 2005 Ashes-winning captain said that this series would be the last dance for the current Australian side.
“For Australia, this is the last dance. Their team who have been dubbed “Dad’s Army” will never play together again. This England side should not fall apart, whatever happens in this series. Many of the players will get another shot at the Ashes in 2027 and beyond, because most of them are in their 20s. But this England group have been building towards this for four years, and will never have a better chance to win Down Under than this. Now grasp it,” he concluded
