India vs England 5th Test: Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that the England team panicked in Ben Stokes’ absence on the final day of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. England were bowled out for 367, falling just short as India secured a narrow six-run victory to level the series 2-2.
England were cruising to the victory, when Harry Brook and Joe Root were dominating the Indian bowlers. At one point, the hosts’ score was 301 for three on the fourth day before Brook was caught by Mohammed Siraj off the bowling of Akash Deep which turned out to be a turning point and led to a batting collapse.
"...Ben Stokes in that team, England would've won this Test match. He plays such a big role in this team, the mentality... England did panic (on the fifth morning).
"They just needed one partnership. They panicked in the way that they can with the way that they play, they play with a huge amount of aggressiveness. Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, the Harry Brook dismissal did cause that collapse, but it's the way England play," Vaughan told BBC's Test Match Special.
Vaughan’s advice to Brook
Vaughan weighed in on Brook’s shot selection. He charged down the wicket against Deep but lost control of his bat, caught inside the circle. He wants the young white-ball captain to avoid making the mistake in the Ashes later this year.
"(Harry) Brook had that thought process that he wanted to hit 30 or 40 quick runs. What Harry needs to learn is in an Ashes series, in a similar situation, just win. I love the way he plays, his approach. At times, he's a genius. He plays the game in a fashion not many have ever played," Vaughan said.
"I don't want to take away from his positivity and flamboyance. But in Sydney, if England are 2-1 up, dig in Harry."
Vaughan rues injury to Woakes in 5th Test
The 50-year-old noted that England suffered a setback after Chris Woakes injury, losing a key bowler on the very first day of the Test match. They were also without their inspirational captain, Stokes which further impacted the team.
"It's been a tremendous five matches for England. You've got to be realistic, this week they were down to 10 men, lost one of their bowlers early, and not got Ben Stokes. You're looking at the team going to Australia and I think there's more pieces in place,” the cricketer-turned-commentator said.
Vaughan feels that the England team is much more settled and secure ahead of this year’s Ashes, with a confirmed top seven. He also pointed out that England are yet to register a win on Australian soil since the 2010/11 Ashes series.
"We'll arrive in Perth for that first Test and know the top seven. It's just a matter of the bowling attack and getting that right. Clearly Ben Stokes is going to have to get fit. With Ben Stokes in the England side they can beat anybody. Without him, they can lose to anybody," Vaughan said.
This year’s Ashes is scheduled to be start on November 21 in Perth.