Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has launched a sharp critique of the team's decision to include all-rounder Will Jacks in the playing eleven for the crucial second Ashes Test against Australia in Brisbane. Vaughan labelled the move as "very un-Bazball", arguing it contradicts the aggressive ethos championed by captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.
A Selection Against the Grain
In his column for The Telegraph, Vaughan expressed his surprise at the tactical choice. While acknowledging Jacks as an inherently aggressive cricketer who fits the team's mould, Vaughan insisted that picking him for this specific match was not a positive, attacking move. "England's selection for the second Ashes Test at the Gabba is very un-Bazball and goes against the grain of so much Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have done since taking charge," he wrote. The 2005 Ashes-winning skipper emphasised that the team is normally "ultra-positive," but this decision did not align with that identity.
The Tail-End Conundrum and Bowling Concerns
Vaughan pointed out that slotting Jacks in at number eight creates one of England's shortest tails in recent memory, with Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Jofra Archer to follow. He humorously contrasted this with England's notoriously long tail from 1999, which included Phil Tufnell. However, his primary concern centred on Jacks' role as a part-time off-spinner. Vaughan highlighted the extreme heat and humidity at Brisbane's Gabba ground, noting it uniquely drains bowlers' energy.
"The big concern about Jacks is that he is going to have to bowl a lot of overs," Vaughan stated. He explained that the conditions would quickly fatigue England's pace attack, most of whom have significant injury histories. With Archer needing his workload managed, Atkinson's effectiveness dropping with a heavy load, and Stokes requiring protection from himself, Vaughan argued that Jacks would be forced to bowl tidy spells to support the main bowlers.
An Incomplete Bowling Attack?
The analysis concluded that while four seamers are often sufficient, the punishing Brisbane conditions necessitate a full five-bowling options. In Vaughan's view, by selecting Jacks, England have only given themselves "four-and-a-half" bowling resources. This, he implied, could be a critical weakness as they seek to level the series against a formidable Australian side on their home turf. The selection debate now adds an extra layer of intrigue to the high-stakes contest at the Gabba.
