Former England captain Michael Vaughan has criticised Ben Stokes and the England team for their risky approach during the ongoing second Test against India at Edgbaston. With England staring at a massive defeat—needing 536 runs with only seven wickets in hand going into Day 5—Vaughan has questioned the sustainability of England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ philosophy.
Speaking on BBC’s Test Match Special, Vaughan called out England’s win-at-all-costs mindset and urged the team to recognise the value of a draw in tough situations.
“Bazball’s going to get asked the ultimate question tomorrow,” he said, reflecting on England’s ultra-positive approach that may have cost them any realistic chance of survival in this Test.
“A Draw is Almost Better Than Last Week’s Win” – Vaughan
Vaughan emphasised that playing for a draw—especially in challenging conditions against a team like India—is sometimes more valuable than going all out for victory.
“You’ve got to get what’s best on offer. And what’s best on offer at the minute is a draw,” Vaughan said. “If you want to win the big series against the likes of India at home in five matches and you want to go to Australia, I think it’simpossible to have a mindset that we just win, that’s all we go for. We don’t play for draws.”
Vaughan added that grinding out a draw from this position would actually be a more impressive feat than the win in the first Test at Leeds: “A draw for England from this position… it’s almost better than last week’s win because it’s completely against their natural trade.”
He also revisited England’s decision to bowl first on a good batting track after winning the toss—a choice that has come under heavy scrutiny following India’s massive first-innings total of 587.
“They’ve won the toss and decided to bowl once again, and it was eventually going to backfire…” Still, Vaughan ended his remarks on a hopeful note, suggesting England could fight back with the right attitude: “If England can have that instinct inside to play hard then they can bat the full day tomorrow. They really can.”
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