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"Amateurish": Vaughan blasts Ben Stokes call to skip PM XI match ahead of Gabba Test

Soumyajit Dutta

Michael Vaughan and Ben Stokes [Source: @MHXtreme2, @ImTanujSingh/X]Michael Vaughan and Ben Stokes [Source: @MHXtreme2, @ImTanujSingh/X]

After the Perth defeat in the Ashes opener, England might not send any player involved in the first Test for the Prime Minister's XI vs England XI pink-ball Test match on November 29, and former cricketer Michael Vaughan has strongly condemned it.

With nearly five days of rest in between and another two-day break ahead of the second test at Brisbane, Vaughan thinks the England cricket team should grab the opportunity to correct their mistakes.

Stokes opts out of Canberra Test

While England coach Brendon McCullum has shared the possibility of sending some players to Canberra, England captain Ben Stokes ruled out the possibility after the match with clear statements.

"That's how it was done a long time ago. We prepare incredibly well. We work incredibly hard every single day that we get the opportunity to work on our game, and that's what we'll keep on doing because we believe and we trust in our process," Stokes said after he was asked whether any cricketer would be sent to Canberra for the England XI clash post the heavy defeat at Perth.

Michael Vaughan slams England skipper's call

Michael Vaughan completely opposed the decision and called it 'amateurish,' suggesting the team should even field the fast bowlers who played at Perth, including the likes of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.

"It's amateurish if they don't go and play now. What harm is playing two days of cricket with a pink ball under lights?" Vaughan said.

Vaughan stressed the importance of England getting pink-ball action ahead of the Gabba Test to polish their skills at Canberra and get ahead of the hosts.

"They've played two days of cricket. They've been out in the field for, what, 70 [67.3] overs? Look, they're professional cricketers. I can't be so old-school as to suggest that by playing cricket, you might get a little bit better… My method would be, you've got a pink-ball, two-day game: you go and grab it, go and take it. Play those two days, and make sure that you're giving yourself the best chance," Vaughan said.

Meanwhile, England have released Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, and Matthew Potts to play for the Lions in their ongoing tour match against Cricket Australia XI and might opt for something similar for the PM XI fixture on November 29.