LONDON: War-battered India exposed England’s shortcomings in all departments with their famous win in the fourth Test, feels the former captain. Michael Vaughan.
India were on the back foot initially but took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series with a comprehensive 157-run win at The Oval on Monday.
Vaughan saw flaws in every department of the game.
Vaughan wrote in his column for ‘The Telegraph’: “The shortcomings of England’s Test team were exposed this week in batting, bowling and fielding. They were defeated by battle-hardened opponents who know how to win crucial moments ”
“It began with his catch on the first day, continuing through his batting in the first innings before his bowling was exposed on a flat wicket over the weekend.
“I want to know why this fielding team hasn’t improved in the last few years. They keep dropping opportunities and India should have been bowled out for 125 in the first innings,” he said.
Vaughan said England did not score enough runs in their first innings and also questioned the batsmen’s shot selection.
“England played some bad strokes through lapses in concentration. Haseeb Hameed chased a wide ball, for example, and Moeen Ali One at the top of the air when England were walking into the game. Those were bad cricket shots.
“England lack the pace and variation to do things in flat conditions. This England Test team is dependent on the pitch helping them. When that happens they look to take 20 wickets like they did at Headingley , otherwise they struggle.”
Vaughan also found a “lack of intent” in England’s batsmen.
“run out David Malana was a prime example. If you are busy with the first ball you are alert for singles but Malan was on his heels as he was not expecting that call from Hameed. It is a lack of intention. It was an insight into the mindset of England. They were just batting.”
The former captain also did not like the way England chose their combination for the Oval Test.
“Not that long ago England were saying they always wanted a fast bowler in the team. Why didn’t they go back to Mark Wood for this game? Not for the first time, they picked the team that played the best in different conditions. Did well a week ago. Need to change mindset. He has to be smart.
He said, “England will have to work out how to be battle-hardened under pressure. I always question some of his thinking. Why did they appoint Moeen as vice-captain?
“He has been on the team for barely two years. It would have been a nice little boost for (Rory) Burns, who is a regular in the team, to be named vice-captain at their home ground this week.
“It was a decision that surprised me and probably put more pressure on Moeen who is still coming back into the game.”
India were on the back foot initially but took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series with a comprehensive 157-run win at The Oval on Monday.
Vaughan saw flaws in every department of the game.
Vaughan wrote in his column for ‘The Telegraph’: “The shortcomings of England’s Test team were exposed this week in batting, bowling and fielding. They were defeated by battle-hardened opponents who know how to win crucial moments ”
“It began with his catch on the first day, continuing through his batting in the first innings before his bowling was exposed on a flat wicket over the weekend.
“I want to know why this fielding team hasn’t improved in the last few years. They keep dropping opportunities and India should have been bowled out for 125 in the first innings,” he said.
Vaughan said England did not score enough runs in their first innings and also questioned the batsmen’s shot selection.
“England played some bad strokes through lapses in concentration. Haseeb Hameed chased a wide ball, for example, and Moeen Ali One at the top of the air when England were walking into the game. Those were bad cricket shots.
“England lack the pace and variation to do things in flat conditions. This England Test team is dependent on the pitch helping them. When that happens they look to take 20 wickets like they did at Headingley , otherwise they struggle.”
Vaughan also found a “lack of intent” in England’s batsmen.
“run out David Malana was a prime example. If you are busy with the first ball you are alert for singles but Malan was on his heels as he was not expecting that call from Hameed. It is a lack of intention. It was an insight into the mindset of England. They were just batting.”
The former captain also did not like the way England chose their combination for the Oval Test.
“Not that long ago England were saying they always wanted a fast bowler in the team. Why didn’t they go back to Mark Wood for this game? Not for the first time, they picked the team that played the best in different conditions. Did well a week ago. Need to change mindset. He has to be smart.
He said, “England will have to work out how to be battle-hardened under pressure. I always question some of his thinking. Why did they appoint Moeen as vice-captain?
“He has been on the team for barely two years. It would have been a nice little boost for (Rory) Burns, who is a regular in the team, to be named vice-captain at their home ground this week.
“It was a decision that surprised me and probably put more pressure on Moeen who is still coming back into the game.”
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