Former Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan expressed deep disappointment with England’s performance in the second Test against Australia in Brisbane, labeling their situation as humiliating following a disappointing third day that positions them on the verge of defeat. After bowling the Australians out for 511, England found themselves trailing by 177 runs but faced a dramatic collapse, losing five wickets for just 38 runs to go from a solid 90-1 to a precarious 134-6.
Unless something extraordinary occurs on Sunday, the team faces the grim reality of falling 2-0 behind in the five-match series, severely undermining their quest to reclaim the Ashes. Vaughan, who led England to a historic series victory in 2005, noted that the aggressive approach under the leadership of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum has become somewhat predictable, exposing the players to vulnerabilities.
Even Joe Root, who had previously scored a century in the first innings, succumbed to the Australian bowling strategy, highlighting a troubling trend in the team’s overall approach. Vaughan reiterated his concerns over England’s preparation for the day-night Test, especially after they had suffered a quick defeat in Perth just days before. Notably, the decision not to send key players for practice in an England Lions match has drawn criticism, as the team aims to recover from a historic drought of Test victories in Australia, with their last win dating back to 2011 during the last away Ashes series.
Despite the challenges, there remains a glimmer of hope for England if they can regroup and adapt their strategy ahead of the crucial final day, as they seek to prove their resilience in the face of adversity.
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