Ashes 2023: "There Will Be Fingers Pointed To Whoever Loses" - Michael Vaughan Says Whosoever Will Win The First Game Will Win The Series

Former English cricketer Michael Vaughan made a bold claim ahead of the Day 5 of the ongoing first Test of the Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. He said that winner of the ongoing game will go on to win the series as it will define the series and will set the tempo.

England and Australia have been going neck to neck with each other in the ongoing Edgbaston Test. The four days of the game have been done and dusted and all three results are possible on the last day, of which the first session has been washed out due to rain.

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England after winning the toss batted exceptionally well and posted 393/8 runs. To push for the result and continue with their Bazball approach, they declared the innings with Joe Root unbeaten at 118 runs. With the ball they were top notch too as they bundled out Australia for 385 runs, taking a lead of 7 runs with Usman Khawaja being the top scorer with 141 runs.

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Australia then tested England in the second innings and set themselves a target of 280 runs, bowling out them for 273 runs. They started the chase on a positive note with David Warner and Usman Khawaja stitching unbeaten 61 runs for the opening partnership.

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But after that England was on the top and Stuart Broad made the ball talk and sent Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith back into the hut to put Australia under pressure. The game is heading towards an exciting finish as Australia needs 174 runs to win whereas, on the other hand, England is 7 wickets away from the win.

Michael Vaughan feels that Day 5 of the Edgbaston Test will define the Ashes series and highlighted that if England wins they will be ultra-aggressive whereas if they lose they will be criticised for their declaration in the first innings. As quoted by BBC Test match special, he said:

“It all comes down to today – it will define this Ashes series. If England get the win, then Ben Stokes will continue to go ultra aggressive. If England lose they face so many questions about the declaration, their batting approach at times.”

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Ashes 2023: “I think whoever wins this Test will win the Ashes Michael – Vaughan

Michael Vaughan further went on to say that if Australia loses this game, skipper Pat Cummins will be under the scanner for his side’s approach. Therefore according to him, the winner of the game can win the series as well.

He said: “If Australia lose, then Pat Cummins is under the spotlight and there are questions about spreading the field. There will be fingers pointed to whoever loses. I think whoever wins this Test will win the Ashes,” he added.

The first session of the Day 5 has been washed out due to rain. With overcast conditions, England will have the upper hand as they have removed two main Australia batters Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.

Also Read: Ashes 2023: “He Is Clearly Struggling,” Michael Atherton Feels It Will Be Hard For Moeen Ali To Make Impact On Day 5 At Edgbaston Due To His Injury

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