Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Ben Stokes should bat at No. 3 in Tests to provide stability, replacing Ollie Pope, who has struggled at the position.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has proposed that Ben Stokes take on the No. 3 batting position in England’s Test
Vaughan, in his recent column for The Telegraph, expressed concerns about Pope’s technique and mentality against top-tier bowling attacks, especially after his underwhelming performance in England’s recent 2-1 series defeat against Pakistan.
With a low average of 11 from three matches, Pope managed only 55 runs, raising doubts about his suitability for the pivotal role.
Vaughan feels Stokes, the England captain, could be a better fit at the No. 3 position due to his defensive skills and ability to handle pressure, despite his own recent struggles against spin bowling.
As England gears up for their upcoming tour of New Zealand starting November 27, Vaughan believes that Stokes could provide the stability that England’s top order currently lacks.
Pope’s Struggles and Vaughan’s Concerns
Vaughan praised Pope’s talent but highlighted that his performance has been inconsistent, particularly under challenging conditions.
According to Vaughan, Pope’s fragile mentality has impacted his ability to face quality spin and seam bowling.
“Pope is a good player, and a great lad who clearly brings a lot to this environment, which places great stock in togetherness and getting on well. Making a big change like this is never easy, and England will not want to. But his returns suggest he does not have the mentality or technique to thrive against the very best bowlers.
“Playing spin at the top level is hard. I’ve said before that I think Pope has a fragile mentality. He’s not alone in that, and that is fine. But when your mentality is fragile, you need your technique to fall back on. It looks after you on your bad days, which there are a lot more of than good ones in Test cricket,” wrote Vaughan in his column for The Telegraph.
With upcoming series against Australia and India next year, Vaughan anticipates that the pressure will only intensify. He pointed out that stronger bowling attacks would target Pope, potentially destabilising England’s batting lineup early in matches.
Why Stokes Could be the Ideal Replacement
In advocating for Stokes, Vaughan noted that while he also struggled against Pakistan’s spin bowlers, England’s upcoming tours will likely feature more seam-friendly conditions.
Stokes’s defensive technique against seam, combined with his ability to withstand pressure, makes him a valuable asset at No. 3.
“Stokes is the one player who could soak up pressure,” Vaughan observed, suggesting that his captaincy role might help solidify England’s top order in high-stakes matches.
As England prepares for critical matches next year, Vaughan’s suggestion to promote Stokes might be a bold but essential move to bring stability to the team’s batting lineup.
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