Michael Vaughan Insists England To Play Smart Cricket Ahead Of ICC World Cup 2019

Well, it was initially expected that England would easily seal the games against Windies across the formats. However, that wasn’t the case, as Windies showed their brilliance in both formats of the game. Meanwhile, Michael Vaughan has got a suggestion for England team ahead of the ICC World Cup 2019.

The former England batsman quoted that England should play the game smart rather than approaching it aggressively. Further, he wants them to take a cue from the victories of India and Australia in ICC World Cup 2011 and 2015 respectively.

You don’t win the world cup by just whacking it – Michael Vaughan

Vaughan hails the current team as their best unit over the years. He lauded the boys for training themselves to chase any kind of tally on the board or put at least 330 in the first innings. But, he believes that kind of game won’t help the team during the knock-out games in the grand event.

“If you’re out there in the middle – win the game, don’t leave it to anyone else, don’t get bored of doing what you’re doing well,” he said. This England team has been great. They have trained the brain get 330. It has been lovely to watch. But it may be that they get to a semi-final and 270 would be enough and if you go for 330 to 350 then you might only get 210. You don’t win a World Cup by just whacking it. You have to play smart cricket,” he said.

England should avoid the moment of madness:

Further, he went on to add saying that the current setup has got everything in their kitty to become the best. But he is concerned about one thing, which he is termed as the moment of the madness. He feels that it happened at least once in every 4-5 games that England played.

“England have got everything required to win the World Cup except for these moments of madness,” Vaughan to BBC Radio 5 during the Tuffers and Vaughan show. “It happens every four or five games and if it happens in the semi-final then they are out,” Vaughan added.

England should get rid off it:

Further, he went on to explain that Indian National Cricket Team had a smooth ride in ICC World Cup 2019 without any such game. And also, he highlighted the Australian team, who only lost one game in that manner. He wants England to take a cue from it.

“The India side around the time they won the 2011 World Cup didn’t have the day England had in Barbados on Friday,” Vaughan said. The Australia side that won in 2015 lost the odd game but they didn’t have moments like England do on a consistent basis.”

“It’s not a [whole] game, it’s almost just a period of the game – in that Champions Trophy semi-final against Pakistan, it was just 10 or so overs where England lost four quick wickets and the game was over. That’s my concern for them in the World Cup.”

Well, it would be interesting to see whether England would follow the suggestion made by the former skipper. So far, they did brilliantly across the formats while tackling the best sides in the game.