Michael Vaughan Warns Ben Stokes And Brendon McCullum Of Being 'Destroyed' In India

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan warns Brendon McCullum’s outfit ahead of their five-match test series against India. He reckons that a Living Death potion of Bazball could be brewing. England will tour India in January 2024. The squad for the same is expected to be announced on Monday night, which is going to include four specialist spinners preparing for the turning conditions in the subcontinent.

Over the last 18 months, England’s Bazball approach, inspired by head coach Brendon McCullum, has generated a lot of buzz for test cricket among fans across the globe. However, Michael Vaughan is skeptical about the tactics boding well against a world-class spin attack that includes Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. He highlighted the success of Australian spinner Nathan Lyon on English soil before his calf injury. Lyon took nine wickets at an average of 29.33 in conditions traditionally unsupportive of spinners.

“Ultimately the hardest place to play in the world is India and if you actually go back to the Ashes when Nathan Lyon was fit and bowling nicely, Australia were 2-0 up in the series,” Michael Vaughan said to foxsports.com.au.

“That was just one innings and a few overs in the first innings at Lords… Nathan came out with a lovely line the other week, saying he’s 2-nil up against Bazball. Now that’s just one spinner, if you look at that five-for he got at Edgbaston and the field was spread and England got out to him by playing ridiculous shots at times. If you add in Ashwin, Jadeja and Axar Patel on spinning wickets in India, they may get blown away, they may get absolutely destroyed,” he added.

“They will go out and play exactly the same way, we’ve already spoken about the impact they are going to try and achieve in India with the way they play. It will be great watching, but you will have to fancy three quality spinners might do a job on England when one quality spinner in Nathan Lyon did the job in English conditions. It’s going to be very tough for them to win in India.”

“I’m A Huge Admirer Of Bazball”- Former England Skipper Michael Vaughan

Even after forecasting a disastrous result for England against India, Michael Vaughan still believes that no cricket fan denies the entertainment that Bazball provides in the longest format. The term ‘Bazball’ refers to an aggressive and risk-heavy approach to red-ball cricket, opposing the traditional patient approach with both the bat and ball. Instead, England’s top order is happy to take on their opposition and is willing to try and hit boundaries every ball, utilizing their full array of strokes.

“I’m a huge admirer of Bazball, I think it’s been a revelation in the last 18 months and there’s not one Australian that can look me in the eye and say they didn’t admire the way England played in the Ashes,” Michael Vaughan said. “All right they didn’t win the Ashes but the way England went about their cricket was fantastic, everyone loved watching them play, it’s risky, and at times it is bonkers.”

“It goes completely against the grain of what you require in that position and situation, you go back to Lords and Nathan Lyon limping off and England losing six or seven wickets in 40 minutes with the bouncer tactic, playing all the shots in the world. There are times when it is absolutely crackers but it’s great to watch and I’ve not met one Australian, they have enjoyed watching them play,” Michael Vaughan added.

However, the turning conditions in India will not support the ‘Bazball’ for England as the aggressive style of cricket requires a rather pacey and bouncy wicket to get the ball aptly at the bat. India is already in a better position given their incredible test record.

The England cricket team is preparing four specialist spinners for the series against India but how would they perform against India in Indian conditions in front of a spin line-up far more experienced than theirs is the question. One thing is for sure England will never change their style of play and India will witness a fast-paced red-ball action in January 2024.