Former England captain Michael Vaughan has advised Ben Stokes to add draws to their thinking during the IND vs ENG 2nd Test. Since Stokes took over alongside head coach Brendon McCullum, England have drawn only1 Tests, which was due to Day 5 being washed out.
Draw is the next best thing: Michael Vaughan urges Ben Stokes to consider draws
With England facing defeat in Edgbaston, Michael Vaughan urged the hosts to bat out for a draw. England lead 1-0 and a draw could help them carry that lead into the 3rd Test at Lord’s next week. While draws are not part of the Bazball directive, the former England captain said that a draw is the next best thing to a win.
“The next best thing from winning a Test match is getting a draw. If they just kind of give it away and decide, you know, ‘That’s 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 skillset 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,” Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special after Day 4.
2025 is a big year for England with the 5 Test series followed by an Ashes in Australia. Michael Vaughan opined that for Stokes and Co to win big series, draws are a vital part of getting the job done.
“You’ve got to get what’s best on offer. And what’s best on offer at the minute is a draw. If you want to win the big series against the likes of India at home in five matches and you want to go to Australia, I think it’s impossible to have a mindset that we just win, that’s all we go for. We don’t play for draws,” he added
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