Ashes 2017: Michael Vaughan suggests batting order rejig for England

What's the story?

England's former captain Michael Vaughan has suggested that the tourists revamp their batting line-up to provide themselves with any chance of competing against an Australian bowling attack comprising the deadly pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins and the enhancing off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Vaughan has argued for a reshuffle of the batting order especially considering the inexperience of the visiting batsmen Mark Stoneman, James Vince and Dawid Malan.

In case you didn't know..

Vaughan captained England from 2003-2008, a journey which included the 2007 World Cup in West Indies. He is regarded as one of England's most successful Test captains, and is highly revered for inspiring England to a 2-1 Ashes win at home in 2005, which is considered to have been the greatest series played on English soil.

Overall, Vaughan played 82 Tests and 86 ODIs for England, and smashed three centuries on the 2002-03 Ashes tour of Australia.

The heart of the matter

It is not only the lack of experience of the English batsmen but also the absence of attacking all-rounder Ben Stokes which has forced Vaughan to ask for a reshuffle. "If I was England I’d jig the order," Vaughan said. "I’d put Vince to five, Malan to three. Malan bats at three for Middlesex so that’s a position he’s used to.”

"It would allow Vince to bat a little more freely at five. Also, I’d have Jonny [Bairstow] at six. Then you’ve got four, five and six all right-handers to nullify Nathan Lyon."

What's next?

The third Test of the 2017-18 Ashes begins on December 14 at Perth's WACA ground. Hosts Australia are 2-0 ahead and a win with two Tests remaining would be enough to bring back the urn which Australia had lost in 2015. England, without Stokes, are facing a mountain of pressure to remain alive in the series.

Author's Take

With opener Stoneman and middle-order batsmen Vince and Malan having played a combined 21 Tests, it was essential that senior batsman Alastair Cook, whose highest score is 37 so far in the series, and captain Joe Root, for whom conversion rate continues to be a problem, took further more responsibility of stabilising England.

Hence, the recommendations of Vaughan to ensure that the inexperienced men bat at positions more suitable to them is not unreasonable.