Former cricket captain BLASTS England for playing too much golf ahead of Ashes
Former skipper Michael Vaughan rips into England team for spending too much time on the golf course ahead of early Ashes loss.
Former cricket captain Michael Vaughan has blasted the current England team for spending too much time on the golf course ahead of their first Test loss in The Ashes.
Vaughan, who captained England in 51 Tests including a famous 2-1 victory in the 2005 Ashes, believes stronger preparation for their biennial clash with Australia and less time honing their skills on the golf course would have served them in better stead ahead of the first Test.
What an unreal game of cricket!! England’s ‘Bazball’ didn’t work out too well #ashes #cricket #winning #bazball pic.twitter.com/8uviXdQDZv
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England, captained by Ben Stokes, suffered an early two-wicket loss at the hands of Australia in the dying stages of day five at Edgbaston last week.
The hosts attacted plenty of criticism for their 'Bazball' decision to declare late on day one despite Joe Root performing well with the bat on an unbeaten 118.
Do you agree..
Michael Vaughan: golf needs to try something similar to Twenty20 cricket https://t.co/AG07so6LI5 pic.twitter.com/wHivxpB1ur
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But Vaughan, a keen golfer himself who once caddied for Lee Westwood at The Masters, suggests the first Test loss was more a direct result of spending too much time on the fairways at Stoke Park, which is owned by Mumbai Indians billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
"The reason why they lost I don't think was because of the declaration but I do think it was because they were lacking sharpness in the field," Vaughan told News Corp.
"They dropped too many chances. You look at the no balls. Australia bowled four no balls, England bowled 24.
"England opted to practice for the Ashes by playing golf for a week.
"I'd have loved to have seem them play at least two days of cricket leading into a big Ashes series.
"But they've opted for that relaxed approach and it kind of showed in the field."
What do you make of England's decision to spend a week playing golf before The Ashes? Will they still defeat Australia? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.
