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Former England captain Michael Vaughan said that he was left "staggered" by Ben Stokes opting not play for England Lions against India A to get crucial game time ahead of the Test series against India. Vaughan wanted Stokes to play as a batter against India A. He also pointed out that Stokes turned up to bowl against Zimbabwe and it would have been good form him to hit a few balls.
"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. 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," Vaughan told Daily Mail.
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Stokes return after injury
Stokes got injured during the New Zealand tour last year and had surgery. The four-day match against Zimbabwe was his first match since return where he was dismissed for a single-digit score and claimed three wickets. Vaughan said that Stokes playing as an all-rounder is crucial for England to win the Ashes on Australian soil.
"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 per cent better when he bowls. To win in Australia, he has to be bowling and batting well," the 50-year-old said.
'It's about winning'
Last year, Stokes' side suffered a series defeat on Indian soil. Vaughan pointed out that while England's way of playing cricket is entertaining, they need to win not just the India series but the Ashes in order to remembered as great side.
"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.
"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," he added.
Stokes' Test record against India
Stokes has a good record against India in the format. The left-handed batter has scored 972 runs at an average of 46.70 from 21 Tests, including a century and five fifties. The pacer has 40 wickets at an average of 31.17, including three five-wicket hauls.
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