The Ashes: Michael Vaughan says Ben Stokes should move up the order, replace Ollie Pope at No.3
England captain Ben Stokes says there’s no room for soft or weak players in his dressing room. A former skipper has challenged him to walk the walk by making a drastic change to solve one of their key batting issues.
As Ben Stokes questioned the mental strength of his players, a former England captain has urged him to show the ultimate example of it.
Former captain Michael Vaughan believes the combative but under siege skipper Stokes should bat at No 3 in England’s Test team, usurping the unconvincing Ollie Pope.
Stokes delivered a candid assessment of England’s failings after their second Test loss at the Gabba with a general statement about the mental strength needed to take the Ashes off Australia in Australia.
“Teams that come to Australia can’t be soft or weak,’’ Stokes said.
“There is no room for that in any dressing room I’m in charge of. We pick people on ability and skill and we also pick people on character and mentality. There are a few things that need to be addressed on that.’’
That is as close as a captain will ever come to saying “I’ve got a few soft players in the team and I will have to work out what to do with them.’’
Kayo Sports analyst Vaughan, speaking on his Stick to Cricket podcast, urged Stokes to bat up the order and would prefer he batted at first drop rather than youngster Jacob Bethell, who is many people’s pick.
“Ben Stokes is such a leader and we need a number three who can lead and play,’’ Vaughan said.
“Ollie Pope has done okay at times but he has run his race now and I think England need to find a new number three.’’
Vaughan also believes England may have brought the wrong sort of attack to Australia with the selectors plumping for a group of pace bowlers like Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson who can push the speedometer well in the 140kph but can at times lack the control to consistency threaten at Test level.
“They have clearly made a conscious decision to go with pace,’’ Vaughan said.
“With a lot of our junior bowlers it is all about getting big tall quicks to get it down at a speed of around 85mph plus. I just hope they are not forgetting that our best quicks of the last 20 years have not been rapid but have been skilful.
“We saw it with Michael Neser and Scott Boland that skill is more important than pace. You ask any batter.
“Pace is lovely to bat against when it is all over the place. Challenging the forward press in this era is the best delivery you can bowl.’’
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Originally published as The Ashes: Michael Vaughan says Ben Stokes should move up the order, replace Ollie Pope at No.3
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