‘Some of them were playing it like Joel Garner was bowling’ – Michael Vaughan lauds England’s short-ball ploy against Australia

Michael Vaughan. (Photo Source: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

Michael Vaughan was left impressed with England‘s short-ball strategy against Australia on Day 4 of the second Ashes Test at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Notably, the Three Lions require 257 runs to win on the final day of the high-voltage contest.

England concluded with a score of 325 runs after losing their last six wickets for merely 47 runs. In reply, the Aussies dominated the first session on Day 4 as they got 183 at the loss of two wickets at Drinks to remain steady.

Following the break, the English pacers decided to up the ante and bowl a barrage of short balls which paid dividends as the Aussies lost wickets at regular intervals, which helped the Ben Stokes-led side claw their way back into the contest. Vaughan praised the tactic used by the English pacers to land the blows and get back into the game.

“It was good tactics. I don’t think the Australians played it well at all. Some of them jumping in front of their face, I think the pitch is little two-paced so the odd ball is sliding through and the odd ball is sticking in the surface,” Vaughan told Cricbuzz.

Have to give all the batters little bit of leeway: Michael Vaughan

Vaughan further acknowledged that the pitch is slightly two-paced which aided the English bowling attack. He also reckoned that England would continue using the tactic in the remaining matches of the series, given how Australians were troubled on Day 4.

“When you are looking to play, you are not sure what’s going to be coming at you. So have to give all the batters little bit of leeway. Although some of them were playing it like Joel Garner was bowling. I know he was 87 Miles/hr but these were 79 Miles/hr bouncers. It’s a tactic England will carry on using. They’ll use it throughout the rest of the series and at times it’s going to be tedious,” added Vaughan.