"It is a disastrous day", Michael Vaughan laments England's bowling variety in Ashes

Sport360 staff 16:47 16/12/2017
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    • Michael Vaughan believes the lack of variety in England’s bowling attack is contributing to their downfall in Australia.

    The tourists are on the brink of relinquishing the Ashes with two Tests remaining after managing to take only one wicket on the third day at the WACA.

    Steve Smith and Mitch Marsh, with a career-best 229 and 181 respectively in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 301, built a lead of 146 by guiding Australia to 549 for four at the close.

    And former England skipper Vaughan says the current bowlers are not suited to thrive in Australian conditions.

    “It is a disastrous day. I think today showed we have no swing, no seam, no pace or no spin,” Vaughan told BT Sport.

    “How are you going to get wickets? You are basically relying on an Australian batting line-up getting bored, chipping one in the air, but you can see in their eyes that they are not going to do that.

    “They are desperate to get the Ashes back and you have to say today is the day, in my opinion, that the Ashes will be staying in Australia.”

    Another ex-England captain, Kevin Pietersen, was also scathing of England’s bowling to Marsh, who was playing his first Test back in Australia whites.

    He tweeted: “Dear Mitch Marsh, we’d like to wish you a warm welcome back to international cricket with some half volleys & throw downs with the new ball. Kind regards, England bowlers!”

    Vaughan believes only rain can now prevent Joe Root’s side from losing the Ashes in Perth.

    “Looking at the game situation, England will probably have to bat four and a half sessions to try and save the Test match and keep the Ashes alive,” Vaughan said.

    “It is a pitch that looks pretty good, those cracks will widen, but I do think England will need a bit of help from the Gods above, I really do.” 

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