The 2023 Men’s Ashes series has etched itself in cricket history as one of the most memorable and enthralling contests of all time. Packed with excitement, close encounters, controversies, and a surprising retirement, this series will be talked about for years to come.
In the final Test at The Oval, England emerged victorious in a nail-biting encounter, sealing a dramatic 49-run win and levelling the series at 2-2. A draw would have sufficed for Australia to claim the series, but their hopes were shattered with a stunning collapse, losing their last seven wickets for a mere 70 runs.
After the end of the 2023 Ashes series, Former England captain, Michael Vaughan, minced no words in his critique of Australia’s performance, pointing fingers at captain Pat Cummins’ approach. Vaughan highlighted that there will be more questions raised about Cummins’ tactics compared to those of England’s captain, Ben Stokes.
In his column for The Telegraph, Vaughan wrote, “Cummins and Australia have sent a message to England that they’re almost scared of them. They’ve been so, so worried about what England can do that at times they’ve forgotten about their own strengths.”
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Vaughan’s analysis suggested that Australia’s game plan was too defensive and reminiscent of England’s approach in the 1990s. He praised England for adopting an aggressive style, similar to the Australian way, which eventually paid dividends for the home team.
“So even though they won the World Test Championship final against India and leave England with the urn retained, Cummins goes home with more questions than answers. This summer England have played in that Australian way. And Australia have been left looking like England in the 1990s: too attritional and fearful. England have done to Australia what Australia have done to them many times before,” he added.
Moreover, Vaughan emphasized that Australia seemed “spooked” by England’s innovative ‘Bazball’ mode of play. The tourists appeared too reactive and overly cautious in the field, allowing England to dictate terms and stick to their well-crafted plans with the ball.
England’s ability to create new angles and challenges with the ball, even on seemingly placid wickets, gave them an edge, further unsettling the Australian side.
“The tourists have tried but I think they’ve been spooked by Bazball. In the field they’ve been far too attritional and reactive at times, and they’ve also let England stick to their own plans with the ball. We all talk about the batting side of Bazball but with the ball England have always created new angles and challenges, even on some flat wickets,” the 48-year-old concluded.
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