Former Australia skipper Tim Paine has hit out at Michael Vaughan for his blunt criticism of Australia’s batting display on Day 2 of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval.

“They are taking home the urn, but I’ve never seen Australia play with so much fear,” Vaughan had told the BBC.

Reacting to Vaughan’s comments, Paine defended Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne for digging in under difficult circumstances.

“It’s frustrating when you hear things like that,” Paine said on SEN Tassie Breakfast.

“He’s entitled to his opinion and maybe it was the worst he’s ever seen them bat, although I think that’s a fair stretch over his whole career. Given how dark it was, the lights were on, how well England were bowling.

“There’s no doubt that Marnus is not batting anywhere near his best at the moment. However, it’s a Test match and you’re allowed to fight, you’re allowed to dig in.

“If it gets hard in a Test match, you don’t have to slog, you don’t have to try and belt the ball everywhere. You can actually put a price on your wicket to try and dig deep for your team.

“That’s what I thought Marnus and Usman were both doing. To say that they’re negative or they’re scared to get out… You’re talking about a bloke who averages 54 in Test cricket and another who averages nearly 50,” he added.

Half-century from Steve Smith, along with vital contributions from captain Pat Cummins and off-spinner Todd Murphy helped Australia take a first-innings lead of 12 runs.

“I don’t think Michael Vaughan was on that level. I know he played more Tests (82) than Marnus, but to say that it’s the worst he’s seen them batting, I completely disagree.

“You’re allowed to fight for your innings. If it looks like you’re scared of getting out, well so be it. Put a price on your wicket and dig deep.

“That’s what I thought they both did.”

Australia are chasing 384 in the fourth innings at The Oval. Initially, it seemed that the target would be tough to chase but the visitors batted exceptionally well to find themselves at 135/0 at stumps on Day 4.

Australia need 249 runs on the final day with 10 wickets in hand to win the Ashes 3-1. David Warner and Usman Khawaja remain unbeaten in the middle on 58 and 69, respectively.

“To hold him back as long as they did I thought was staggering, unless he was injured,” Paine said.

“They bowled Moeen Ali on one leg and they bowled Joe Root before they went to their number one strike bowler.

“They got what they deserved, 0-135, and the Aussies are in a great position now needing just another 249 runs to win.

“There’s a saying in cricket, ‘The hardest runs to score are the winning runs’. A high-pressure Test match with the series on the line, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a few more twists and turns.

“Given the way we’ve batted in this Ashes, we’ve left the door ajar a few times. It’s a terrific start, but we need one of those guys to go on and get a big hundred and the rest of the guys to chip in with them,” he concluded.