AUS vs ENG: Michael Vaughan Slams Jonny Bairstow For His Poor Wicketkeeping

Published - 07 Jul 2023, 04:19 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Jonny Bairstow (Credits: Twitter)

Former cricketer Michael Vaughan has slammed Jonny Bairstow’s wicketkeeping as well as England’s poor fielding effort on day one of the ongoing third Ashes Test at Headingley.

Bairstow’s struggle behind the stumps continued on Thursday (July 6). He has been criticized for his wicketkeeping in the ongoing series and the criticism has only increased after his performance on day one of the third Test. England’s fielding has been really disappointing in the ongoing series.

Ben Stokes & Co. have dropped as many as 14 catches so far with Jonny Bairstow adding two to the tally on Thursday. The dropped catches from Bairstow cost his side 48 runs on day one. He first dropped Steve Smith when he was on 4 and scored 22. Bairstow also failed to hold on to a chance from Travis Head who was on nine at that stage and went on to score 39.

His teammate and former England skipper Joe Root also had a forgettable outing on the field. Root dropped Mitchell Marsh when the allrounder was batting on 12 and went on to smash a quickfire 118 runs. Marsh smashed 17 fours and four sixes during his memorable knock.

Michael Vaughan slams England’s fielding effort:

Speaking to Cricbuzz at the close of play on Day one, Michael Vaughan came down hard on Jonny Bairstow and England. The former England captain stated that while he would like the team management to make a change, he admitted that Bairstow is unlikely to be removed from the wicketkeeping duties.

“I don’t think they’ll tinker, they’ll continue with Jonny ( Bairstow),” Vaughan said. “It’s cost England. I was absolutely behind his wicketkeeping before this series but sometimes you have to accept that there’s maybe a better option out there.”

“The Aussies have had 3 chances and taken all 3. It’s obvious for everyone to see the chances England have been missing have cost them hugely and probably down 0-2 because of that.”

“And when the contrast is so different with Australia missing 7 and England 14 so double the amount and there’s another five half chances that a Cameron Green would gobble as well,” he added.

Speaking further, Vaughan stated that England have not really managed to do well about things that they can control on the field as he pointed out their struggles with catching and bowling extras.

“Catching, extras – things you can really control and work on, England haven’t quite got that right,” Vaughan said.

“And they’re 0-2 down in the series and today because of their ( England) catching, Australia are at parity in terms of levelling this game today. England should be ahead of the game but we arrive on Day 2 with England needing to bat well and not give Australia a 50-60 run lead which will be criminal,” he added.

With England dropping catches, Australia recovered from 85 for 4 to score 263 runs. In reply, England were off to a poor start with the bat and were on 68 for 3 at stumps. The hosts need to win the game to keep alive their hopes of winning the series after losing the first two Tests.