Former England skipper Michael Vaughan can’t see England beating India in the upcoming five-match Test series, scheduled to start from August 4 in Nottingham. He feels England has several issues to address going into the series.
India lost the World Test Championship Final against New Zealand in Southampton by eight wickets. India’s batting wasn’t at their best during that game which led to their downfall in the marquee clash.
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On the other hand, England were also troubled by New Zealand in two-match Test series that preceded to WTC Final. New Zealand won the series by 1-0 to secure their first Test series win on England shores since 1999.
“You, know this series against New Zealand, it’s been dry for the week leading into that first Test at Lords, played no spinner, exactly the same at Edgbaston, didn’t play a spinner, and the batting line-up is fragile, it’s simple as that,” Michael Vaughan said on the ‘Road to the Ashes’ podcast.
Former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid also called this the best chance to win the Test series in England. Dravid was captain when India last won a Test series in England back in 207. Since then, India toured England thrice and came back empty-handed every time. However, Michael Vaughan also seeing India as favourites to win the Test series this time.
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Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes missed the Test series against New Zealand and are set to return against India, which will give the home side a much-needed boost. But Michael Vaughan can see a lack of depth in England’s batting order despite the return of experienced players.
“Buttler, Stokes and Woakes have come back, yes, they’ll improve the team but unless that batting line-up changes and can learn and understand how to get big scores against good bowling, and not against second-string Test match standard bowling, I just can’t see how they can compete. It’s going to be tough for England to beat India on these shores. But then to go to Australia if they won’t get 450-500, I just can’t see [them being competitive],” Michael Vaughan added.