Former England skipper Michael Vaughan lashed out at the Joe Root-led side for their poor showing against Australia in the ongoing Ashes 2021-22, saying that they are putting T20 cricket ahead of Test cricket.
England started 2021 on high as they defeated Sri Lanka in a Test series in their home and then thumped India in the first Test match at Chennai. However, after that, nothing has gone their way. They lost the Test series to India 1-2 and then lost New Zealand at home 1-0.
England is also trailing 1-2 in the home Test series against India with the fifth Test to be played in 2022.
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England's poor form continued in the ongoing Ashes 2021-22 as they suffered two heavy, one-sided defeats. They first suffered a 9-wicket thumping in Gabba and then were decimated in a 275-run thrashing in the day-night Test in Adelaide.
Writing in his column for Telegraph, Michael Vaughan pointed out that England’s downfall started after the win against India in Chennai. He highlighted that after that win they started to rest and rotate players, which sent a message that they are putting T20 cricket ahead of Test cricket.
"The decline started in India after England won in Chennai. England opted to put T20 cricket ahead of Test cricket when they started resting players and rotating them for the rest of that series.
“That moment sent a message to me that they were not focusing on the Test team. The T20 team did not need any more love. Test cricket has been the format over the last few years that has always needed more attention," Michael Vaughan said.
Vaughan slammed England for their selection in the first Test in Gabba. He pointed out that the Joe Root-led side has been selecting players on data and information rather than playing in here and there.
He stressed that Stuart Broad should’ve played in Brisbane, considering his record against David Warner.
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"The selection for the first Test in Brisbane was poor and then for the second Test, when they knew it was going to be roasting hot, they didn’t pick a spinner or anyone who could inject some pace.
"They have been going on data and information rather than playing in the here and now. For example, Stuart Broad should have played in Brisbane. To not pick him to bowl the first ball to David Warner from around the wicket was blatant stupidity," he said
The next match of the five-match Test series is slated to begin on 26th December at MCG. With only a few days remaining for the start of the Test, it remains to be seen if the Joe Root-led side can stage a comeback or not.
(The Telegraph inputs)
