Michael Vaughan delivers warning to Ben Stokes – 'Got to do the right thing'
As England prepare to face India in their five test series, a matter of months before the Ashes, cricket legend Michael Vaughan offered a word of warning to Ben Stokes
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has warned Ben Stokes he must do "the right thing" and respect India before he can turn his attention to Australia and the Ashes. In November, Bazball will be going Down Under in a bid to lift the Ashes urn on Australian soil for the first time since 2011.
But before they can focus on overcoming the Aussies, India are in town for this weekend's five-test series. Stokes, 34, has amassed an impressive record of 20 victories in 33 matches as captain, since he joined forces with head coach Brendon McCullum in 2022.
This weekend, India are also starting a new era as they will be travelling to Headingley without recently-retired legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While they may be at the beginning of a new phase, Vaughan warned Stokes he cannot afford to take India lightly, particularly ahead of the Ashes in November.
Vaughan, speaking at the launch of The Overlap and Betfair's Stick to Cricket show ahead of the series, delivered a message to Stokes and said: "I think you have got to do the right thing against India."
Assessing Stokes' chances against India and the Ashes, Vaughan added: "He's got the tools to win, but there's having the tools and then using them properly and just having that element of fortune every now and again. Getting your team to play to a level, getting the team to be smart at times, getting your team to win and that key moment.
"You need a little bit of fortune to do that as well. I do think if you do everything right and you prepare properly and you treat the game with respect, those elements and the rub of the green generally goes towards the team that deserves the win. I'm a big believer in that.
"I think you have got to do the right thing against India. They've got to win, play the right cricket, respect the game. When they get Down Under, they have to prepare properly."
Stokes' reign as captain has been impressive, but this weekend's series against India and the winter's Ashes could go some way to defining his legacy. Vaughan insists Stokes will have every chance to lead England to two series victories, providing his decisions are as smart as they are bold.
The Ashes winning captain said: "To take Australia, you have to look them in the eyes and you have to take them on. But you have to cover the disciplines really well, the basics.
"If they do that and they catch well, they can read the situation nicely. You can't just play one style and one way.
"If you go over there playing one way, you'll get found out. They have a tool set and a box of talented players.
"Can they go there with a bowling attack and get 20 wickets? If they can, they'll have a chance. If they can't, they'll have no chance."
Betfair are set for a big summer and winter of cricket, launching a new show with The Overlap: Stick to Cricket. Don't miss the first episode next week, where the team will be reviewing the opening test of the series between England and India.
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