Ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan shares his brutal take on why England have relied on the ‘spirit of cricket’ defence to slam Australia over the Jonny Bairstow dismissal
- Michael Vaughan believes England are hiding behind excuses
- Reality is they are 2-0 down in Ashes series at home
- Australia last lifted the urn on English soil in 2001
- Follow MailSport on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@mailsport
Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan has outlined his belief that Brendon McCullum’s team are hiding behind the ‘spirit of cricket’ defence to distract fans from their below-par Ashes performances.
Vaughan, 48, who won the urn in 2005 on home soil as skipper, admires how Australia have gone about their business – and owned the key moments in the first two Tests at Edgbaston and Lord’s.
He also lamented the inability of England’s batters to turn starts at the crease into centuries.
Michael Vaughan has outlined his belief that Brendon McCullum’s team are hiding behind the ‘spirit of cricket’ defence when it comes to their sub-par Ashes performances
Ben Stokes’ men have had their moments at Edgbaston and Lord’s – but now need to win three straight Tests to take the series
‘The Bairstow incident has actually been very convenient … it is all anyone wants to talk about,’ he wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘[For me], the world is talking about an incident that has been blown out of all proportion … I also tend to think the ‘spirit of cricket’ is something we [England] lean on when we don’t feel the laws suit us.
‘Australia were well within their rights to appeal, even if it might not have been the best look.
‘They won’t care, they are 2-0 up.’
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In the wake of Bairstow’s incredibly divisive dismissal (pictured), Vaughan said England have leaned on the ‘spirit of cricket’ argument because ‘we don’t feel the laws suit us’
Vaughan went onto raise concerns about the makeup of England’s XI, notably young gun Harry Brook moving up to bat at three with Ollie Pope sidelined for the remainder of the series.
James Anderson and Josh Tongue have both been dropped after the defeat at Lord’s, with Mark Wood and Chris Woakes coming into the team for their first appearance of the series.
Question marks also remain about the effectiveness of Moeen Ali as the side’s chief spinner.
The Barmy Army have promised to provide a daunting atmosphere in Leeds, but Vaughan doesn’t believe it will unsettle Pat Cummins’ men, who have their eyes on the prize.
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