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"They Can’t Win" Vaughan Urges Ben Stokes And Co. To Abandon ‘BazBall’ On Day 5

Aakash Saini

Michael Vaughan and Ben Stokes [Source: @bbctms, @techsmart484675/x]Michael Vaughan and Ben Stokes [Source: @bbctms, @techsmart484675/x]

England reached 72-3 from 16 overs by stumps on Day 4 in pursuit of a record 608-run target against India in the second Test of the five-match series at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The hosts lost both openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley to Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj respectively before losing senior man Joe Root to a searing delivery from India’s comeback paceman.

Requiring another 536 runs for a win from 90 overs on Day 5 with just seven wickets in hand, the current scenario puts England in a high-risk, all-or-nothing dilemma, especially considering captain Ben Stokes’ policy of pursuing ‘win at all costs’ with their no-holds-barred ‘BazBall’ approach.

Michael Vaughan Says Draw Best Result For England

Former captain and prominent commentator Michael Vaughan believes that the Ben Stokes-led English team should make way from ‘BazBall’ for once and try to fight out for a draw against India on Day 5 of the Birmingham Test.

Finding themselves another 536 runs away from victory, Vaughan believes England cannot win this game as Team India has “completely dominated the Test match”. While speaking on BBC Cricket, Michael Vaughan said:

“They can't win this game. India have completely dominated the Test match with brilliant skill, great discipline. It's exactly what I want to see from England tomorrow. In a funny kind of way, this day has been coming where the Bazballers can't arrive on day five and even think about winning.”

“Have they got the ticker, the skill set, and the determination to try and get a draw? The next best thing from winning a Test match is getting a draw. If they just kind of give it away and just say, oh, you know, the way that we play, we're always on the front foot playing aggressively, they'll get bowled out quickly tomorrow. Have they got the skill set and the mindset to try and bat the full day and get on the bus to Lord’s with a draw? We'll wait and see.”

Earlier in the match, Team India mounted 587 runs in their first innings with Shubman Gill’s imperial 269. Mohammed Siraj picked up a sizzling six-wicket haul later in the game as India seized a huge 180-run first innings lead.

India again amassed 427-6d to set England a record target of 608 runs.