Ashes 2019: Mark Waugh takes a dig at Michael Vaughan; feels England has only two quality batsmen

Michael Vaughan, the 2005 Ashes series-winning England captain, recently took to Twitter in order to share with fans some of his suggestions for the England and Australia team as they prepare for the upcoming fourth Ashes 2019 Test at Manchester. The series is tied at 1-1 as the hosts won the third Test by one wicket after chasing down 359 runs in Leeds. This was only possible due to Ben Stokes’ magical innings of 135* which stole the show and left Australians scratching their heads.

Vaughan had suggested that Australian team should bring in the pace fire of Mitchell Starc into the side and also make way for Mitchell Marsh, the all-rounder in the team given the batting flaws down the order. One good thing that will happen for the Kangaroos is that their premier batsman Steve Smith will return to the fold after missing the third match due to concussion effects. Starc proved fitness and form by picking up seven wickets with a four-wicket haul in the second innings of the practice match against Derbyshire, which Australia won by an innings margin.

Mark Waugh says England has only two decent batsmen

Vaughan also had some ideas for his own team as well, which had indicated and later confirmed that struggling opener Jason Roy will be moving down the order to no.4 spot. Joe Denly, who scored a brilliant 50 in the chase at Leeds, will move up to open the innings in a shuffle that brings Roy to his more natural batting position. Vaughan tweeted, “Denly to Open .. Roy to 4 .. Good move by England .. Starc must play .. M Marsh also .. Smith back .. Australia would look stronger as well .. All to play for .. #OnOn #Ashes”

Denly to Open .. Roy to 4 .. Good move by England .. Starc must play .. M Marsh also .. Smith back .. Australia would look stronger as well .. All to play for .. #OnOn #Ashes

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 2, 2019

To this former Australia opener, Mark Waugh took a dig at this former foe and touched a raw nerve by saying that England only had two quality batsmen in Root and Stokes and shuffling the batting order won’t make any difference to the outcome. So far for England, Ben Stokes is the leading run-getter with 327 runs in 3 matches, followed by Rory Burns, who has 242 runs. Joe Root has scored 176 runs but is yet to hit a century in the series.

Good move but I don’t think shuffling your batting order is going to make any difference. Only 2 test quality batsmen in your team in Root and Stokes.

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) September 2, 2019

The fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester will begin from September 4, a reenergized hosts take on shocked visitors, who have too many options to choose from.