Former England captain Michael Vaughan predicted the team to draw the Ashes series against Australia by 2-2. He pointed out that this will be their best result in Australia since the 2010/11 Ashes where they won 3-1. Notably, England haven't won a Test match Down Under since 2011 as the hosts have completely dominated the match-up. However, Vaughan feels that the current side does have the potential to end the drought and get a positive result against their arch-rivals after a long time.
“I think they need a trophy. I mean, would I take two-all now? Probably, let’s be honest. In the last few series, 2010-11 is the only time that I’ve seen England have success. We won one Test match in 2002-03, we won three Test matches in 2010-11. We haven’t won a Test since. So, actually looking at growth in terms of what English cricket is delivering and, crikey, if you could get a two-all series, you’d obviously take that," Vaughan said at an event, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Vaughan backs Stokes to come up with the goods
Vaughan further went on to urge England skipper Ben Stokes to perform well in the series and backed him to have the urn in his hand by the end of the series.
"But I think Ben and his mentality, and the way that he plays his cricket, this is his moment. He has to deliver and he has to get that urn in his hand. And it's not putting him under pressure. They'll be speaking in this kind of language in the dressing room. They will expect to win this series and now's the time to deliver,” Vaughan stated.
England's bowling combination for The Ashes
Meanwhile, England have announced their squad for The Ashes while Australia are yet to do so. The Three Lions have opted to go for a bowling combination dominated by pacers, fitting to the Australian conditions. They have opted to go for a total of seven pace options alongwith three spinners in Shoaib Bashir, Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell. They will definitely be aiming to finally end their 14-year drought for a Test victory in Australia.
England's squad for The Ashes: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.