Former England captain Michael Vaughan has voiced his surprise at Ben Stokes' limited batting preparation ahead of a crucial five-Test series against India, which begins at Headingley this week. Stokes, who is also England's Test captain, has had minimal time in the middle, raising concerns about his form with the bat.
Vaughan, writing in the Daily Mail, said: 'I've been staggered by the lack of time in the middle that Ben's had as a batter. He didn't have a great year last year when he got his injuries.' He compared Stokes to top athletes in other sports, noting that a golfer like Scottie Scheffler or a footballer would be playing matches before a major event.
Vaughan stressed that Stokes' all-round contribution is vital for England's success, particularly in the upcoming Ashes in Australia. 'England can only win in Australia with him, and that's him being the all-rounder. If he goes to Australia just as the batter, that completely breaks the balance of the team,' he said.
While England have won four of their last five series under Brendon McCullum, Vaughan urged the team to prioritise winning over entertainment. He referenced England's 2019 World Cup victory, where they had to adopt a more traditional approach to secure the title. 'Make sure you're not the most entertaining England side that's ever been, but not won an Ashes,' he warned.
Vaughan called for a 'ruthless approach' this summer, emphasising the need for a high-intensity environment. 'I look at all high-level sports teams and I don't see a relaxed environment. I see a high intensity, high performance environment,' he added.
