Ashes 2015: Australia to target ‘vulnerable’ Ben Stokes with verbal barrage, says Michael Vaughan

MICHAEL Vaughan has warned England to prepare for a verbal barrage from Australia, saying a “vulnerable” Ben Stokes will be the main target.

Umpire Marais Erasmus (L) intervenes to stop an argument between Australia's captain Michael Clarke (2nd L) and teammate Brad Haddin with England's Ben Stokes (2nd R) after the replay announcing Haddin is not out due to a no ball during the second day of the second Ashes test cricket match at the Adelaide Oval December 6, 2013. REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET)

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has predicted “vulnerable” all-rounder Ben Stokes will be Australia’s prime target for mental disintegration this Ashes series.

During their last Ashes series romp, the Australians went hard at Jonathan Trott and Jimmy Anderson.

Ian Bell and Stuart Broad have also been targets of sledging Australians in the past.

But Vaughan believes the attention of all XI Australian players will this series centre on fiery red-head Stokes.

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Marlon Samuels’ brilliant send off.

In the West Indies earlier this year, Marlon Samuels got under Stokes’ skin with a patronising salute send-off, and Vaughan expects the Australians have taken note of his emotional reaction.

“We saw with the Marlon Samuels incident that he is vulnerable to anyone having a chirp,” Vaughan told the English press.

“Don’t be surprised if they all come at him. There won’t just be one. It will be all 11 going for Ben Stokes.

“And how does he control it?

“The New Zealand series was nice. It was friendly and Stokesy got the best out of himself. He was brilliant.

“It (the Ashes) isn’t going to be like the New Zealand series, I am afraid. It’s going to be heated.

“With Ben Stokes you know the way they will play against him.”

Winning the verbal game has worked handsomely for Australia over a successful two year period.

They have gone hard at England and South Africa for emphatic success, and in the World Cup final they got on the front foot against New Zealand.

David Warner has stated recently he’s looking to remove himself from the centre of on-field stoushes, but Vaughan is adamant the Australian way won’t change.

Michael Vaughan predicts Aussies will target Ben Stokes.

He warned England need to be prepared.

“I don’t think we will ever see an Australian team that is not going to say something. It’s the way they play their cricket. I respect them for that,” he said.

“All I will say to the England players is to be true to yourself. Don’t be something you’re not. It’s about how you manipulate those moments on the field when Clarkey comes at you or Dave Warner says something. You have to have a method in your mind to control that. You have to expect it.

“Don’t play against Australia and expect it to be quiet.”

Vaughan jokingly suggested in another interview that punches might be thrown this Ashes series, that’s how intense he is expecting it to get.

Originally published as Ashes 2015: Australia to target ‘vulnerable’ Ben Stokes with verbal barrage, says Michael Vaughan