Michael Vaughan not impressed with this English batsman's practise techniques

Michael Vaughan expresses his concerns about Mark Stoneman’s attitude to his practice on the podcast of The Tuffers and Vaughan Cricket Show on BBC Radio 5 Live. From what he had seen in the net sessions in Australia during the 2017-18 Ashes, Vaughan thinks that Stoneman does not put his best foot forward all the time.

Ahead of the 1st test of the New Zealand series in Auckland, Vaughan said it was sheer luck that he had been selected for the series at all. The fact that the English opener had scored a couple of fifties in the Ashes does not sway the veteran’s opinions about him. Vaughan firmly believes that Stoneman’s style of practice is not good enough for an international cricketer.

Concerned about Stoneman’s attitude in the nets

“He’s lucky because I studied the way that he practiced in Australia, and this probably being harsh on the lad, but I don’t think he practices like an international cricketer,” he said.

Clearly, Vaughan expects much more from an English cricketer when he is sweating out in the nets, especially during a series like Ashes. “I didn’t see enough in the nets where he was getting the ball fizzed at his head,” he added.

On the other hand, he is really impressed with another 2017 Test debutante. “I saw plenty of that from Dawid Malan,” Vaughan says. Malan has had a good Ashes, given that this is his first ever. With three half-centuries and a 140 in the third test, he has definitely earned his place in the squad.

“I thought Malan in the winter – and across all of what he has achieved in the England jersey – he sends the message to me that he’s willing to do that extra yard, put that extra effort in in practice,” Vaughan says about Malan. As a last thought, Vaughan added that he sincerely wishes that Stoneman was practicing against the type of balls the English batsmen are expected to face in New Zealand.

“I would hope he’s [Stoneman] been at home, wherever he has been practicing. I would hope that he’s been having someone belting left-arm overs at his head … because that’s what Boult and Wagner will do to him,” Vaughan concluded. Proving his fears right, Stoneman made only 11 runs in the first innings of England on Day 1. But ironically, he turned out to be the second highest contributor to England’s team total of 58/10.