Former England captain Michael Vaughan has responded to Ben Stokes after the current skipper dismissed criticism of England's Ashes preparations as coming from 'has-beens'. The tourists' lead-in to the series, which includes only one three-day warm-up match against the England Lions, has been widely questioned.
Legendary all-rounder Sir Ian Botham led the criticism, calling the lack of games against Australian state sides 'borders on arrogance'. However, Stokes defended the schedule, citing the modern game's packed calendar. 'I don't really know what we're supposed to do, to be honest,' Stokes said. 'There's quite a few factors that play into the whole of why we can't prepare how the has-beens have maybe prepared in the past.'
Vaughan, writing in his column for The Telegraph, urged England to respect the views of past legends. 'Just because the 'has-beens' have a different view does not mean these are not valid comments,' he wrote. 'They are coming from legends of the game who cannot play any more because they are too old, but that does not mean they do not desperately want England to win!'
Vaughan added that all former players and media he has spoken to want England to succeed. 'They are saying these things because they are concerned, and see the risk,' he said. Vaughan was more measured in his own assessment, noting that only performance on the field will determine if the preparation was adequate. 'Supporters have to trust that England know what they are doing and that this method will bring results, even if it is anathema to many,' he wrote.
