Michael Vaughan claims he has never seen Australia “this terrified” although they have retained the Ashes

Australia scored only 64 runs in the first session on Day 2.


Michael Vaughan claims he has never seen Australia “this terrified” although they have retained the Ashes

Michael Vaughan criticizes Australia's batting (Image via The Times, India Today)

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has claimed that even though Pat Cummins and Co. have retained the Ashes, he has not seen Australia play with so much fear. After the end of Day 2’s play (of the fifth Ashes Test), Vaughan made these claims. The former English captain also slammed Australia’s slow batting saying it was the worst he has ever seen.

After Australia lost their first wicket in the form of David Warner, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne stitched a 42-run partnership but took 26 overs to score those runs. While Labuschagne was dismissed after an 82-ball 9, Khawaja scored 47 runs off the 157 deliveries he faced in his inning.

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Referring to the same, Vaughan slammed the Aussie batters. “They are taking home the urn, but I’ve never seen Australia play with so much fear,” Vaughan told BBC’s Test Match Special. “They are usually so aggressive and try to take the game forward.”

“They have just sat in to bat a long period of time without remembering you have to put a bit of pressure on the bowlers,” Vaughan further said. “This morning I thought it was the worst I’ve ever seen Australia bat in my time watching them. They never play like that.”

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While Australia defend, England continue to attack

Zak Crawley batting
Zak Crawley (Image via ICC Cricket)

In the Ashes series so far, fans have gotten a chance to see two contrasting approaches. While England have always looked to attack, Australia have played old-school Test cricket. Pat Cummins and Co. have made the opposition bowlers toil hard. The numbers of overs bowled by England and Australia testify that. 

A Twitter user pointed out that England bowlers have spent almost three more days in the field as compared to their Australian counterparts. While Australia have had to bowl 567 overs (as of Day 2 of 5th Test), England bowlers have had to bowl 803.3 overs, meaning 1401 more deliveries.

Even in the second innings, England have gotten quick off the blocks, scoring 100 runs in just over 20 overs.

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