Former England captain Michael Vaughan raises Ben Stokes concerns

Michael Vaughan has warned England to adopt a ruthless streak as they embark on an epic six months – or risk becoming Test cricket’s version of Nineties Newcastle United.

Vaughan says he has enjoyed watching Ben Stokes’ England team over the past three years more than any of its predecessors, but believes they must shed their entertainers tag ahead of a five-match series against India beginning at Headingley on Friday and a shot at a first Ashes away win in 15 years this November.

‘Now it’s about winning. Look at 2019 when we won the World Cup. Did England play the cricket that they’d been playing previously to win that final? Did they heck. They had to dig deep and play the old school horrible way, but they won,’ said Vaughan, speaking at the launch of The Overlap and Betfair’s Stick to Cricket show.

‘They are remembered as winners. I always revert back to the Newcastle football side of the 1990s – the Kevin Keegan era. Bloody great, we talk about them, but they didn’t win. Make sure you’re not that. Make sure that you’re not the most entertaining England side that’s ever been, but not won an Ashes. Don’t leave it until 2027.’

England have made a great deal of the enjoyment factor under the leadership of Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, but elaborating on the need for a shift of emphasis, Vaughan, who masterminded the stunning 2005 win over Australia, said: ‘I just want to see that ruthless approach this summer and if you get on a winning run, win every game.

‘I look at all high-level sports teams and I don’t see a relaxed environment. I see a high intensity, high performance environment, and that’s sometimes tough, hard work. It’s not always smiles and patting on the back.

‘They’re trying to do something different but I’ve not seen a sporting team win in that fashion. I go back to the 2003 Rugby World Cup winners, and Clive Woodward was completely on the one percenters. I watch football all the time, and I look at Pep Guardiola, Arne Slot teams.

‘This cricket set-up has been quite relaxed, enjoyable and fun, but don’t tell me the England side from 2010-2004, the number one team in the world, didn’t enjoy it.

‘And they enjoyed it because they were winning. And that is the most important aspect about any sport. You enjoy it a lot more when you’re winning and lifting trophies.’

And if England are to make history later this year, Vaughan believes Stokes will be vital. With that in mind, he is surprised that the 34-year-old has not had a greater volume of action ahead of five matches in seven weeks against an India side in transition under Shubman Gill.

‘I’ve been staggered by the lack of time in the middle that Ben’s had as a batter. He didn’t have a great year last year when he got his injuries,’ said Vaughan.

‘A Scottie Scheffler or a footballer going into a major event would be playing. He’s had no game time. Why wouldn’t you want to play for England Lions just for a knock, not to bowl? He was bowling against Zimbabwe, and clearly he’s fine, but why wouldn’t you just want a bit of time in the middle? Call me old school, but I think it’s quite nice to go out and hit a few balls.

‘England can only win in Australia with him, and that’s him being the all-rounder. If he goes to Australia just as the batter, that completely breaks the balance of the team and as much as he’s a genius captain, the team are 30-40% better when he bowls. To win in Australia, he has to be bowling and batting well.’

Betfair are set for a big summer and winter of cricket, launching a new show with The Overlap: Stick to Cricket. Don’t miss the first episode next week, where the team will be reviewing the opening Test of the series between England and India.