Michael Vaughan's Blog, page 3

Jonny Bairstow's 'headbutt' row proves England's players just aren't very smart

T he problem for the England team is they have an image of a laddish, drinking culture.

Alastair Cook's lack of form is a worry - England need him to find it fast

A lastair Cook���s start to the series is worrying. It is typical Cook. He does have runs of low scores. But I do not see England making big totals unless Cook starts contributing.

There will no gifts for England at the Gabba, but the heat is on Australia in Ashes opener

T he Gabba is a cauldron . It is a ferocious place. At all the other grounds in Australia, the England fans are vocal. But not at the Gabba. There are only a few dotted around so it is hard for them to become a collective force.

The Ashes can change a player's life - my career would have been average without it

A s soon as your kit arrives at home with the Ashes written on it you know you are about to head off on a special tour. But you are not going to war and there is no place for hatred in an Ashes series. David Warner was just trying...

Test cricket is in jeopardy and world championship is one step in the fight to save it

T est match cricket has been in decline for years and this is a move in the right direction . It will add relevance and meaning to every game and series.

Ben Stokes and Alex Hales as a pair is arguably the worst combination England could have on a night out

E nglish cricket is desperate to attract a family audience to the game, which is why a new Twenty20 league will be introduced in two years��� time.

Ben Stokes has cast a massive shadow over England - he must become as streetwise off the field as he is on it

B en Stokes can���t say he was not warned . I have been privy to private conversations about him recently and he has been given strong warnings about his lifestyle.

Wednesday need to win the Sheffield derby so I can wind up Joe Root

S heffield has been waiting for this for a long time because United have just not been good enough to be in Wednesday���s league . Finally, United have the right manager in place. Chris Wilder is a pal of mine and he has done a great job. It will be...

Australia will try to turn one of Joe Root's best strokes into his Achilles heel during the Ashes

T eams have been studying Joe Root���s technique for the past couple of years trying to identify a weakness and they may have discovered that one of his trademark shots is also a potential Achilles��� heel.

Michael Vaughan's England XI for the first Ashes Test against Australia

Alastair Cook