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Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
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.
Metro
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
India boast best bowler in history, warns former England captain
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes India have the greatest bowler of all-time at their disposal in Jasprit Bumrah. The first of five Tests between the two countries begins on Friday at Headingley in what should be a thoroughly entertaining and engaging series. Bumrah is not expected to play in all five matches and is likely to compete in just three games in an attempt to maintain his fitness, but Vaughan fears his influence when he is on the pitch. The 50-year-old claimed on The Overlap and Betfair's Stick to Cricket show that Bumrah has become the best bowler ever thanks to his success with India across all three formats, and he is sticking to that opinion. 'Yeah, I've never seen anyone bowl with such an action,' he told Metro. 'With so much pace, with so much accuracy, so much movement, so much skill, so much thought and across all the formats of the game. Yeah, I think he's the best I've seen. 'I know there are bowlers from the past that I've never even seen other than clips on YouTube, but from my time being a pro from '92 to being a broadcaster now in 2025, he's the best I've seen. 'He's got that release which is closer. So, he obviously seems that little bit quicker, because he is quick, but also because he releases it that little bit later. He's a genius.' The 31-year-old boasts incredible figures for his country in an international career which began in January 2016. He arrives in England this summer with 205 Test wickets to his name from 45 matches at an average of 19.40. With the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Vaughan sees an inexperienced batting line-up, but feels Bumrah is still good enough to bowl his team to victory. The Yorkshireman also notes that even India's inexperienced Test batters have overcome the wildly pressurised environment of the IPL, so should not be written off as being able to deal with the English attack, which will be missing the likes of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood in Leeds. Jasprit Bumrah Shane Warne Muttiah Muralitharan Glenn McGrath Dale Steyn* * Vaughan added: 'I'll have to put Dale Steyn in there because he used to knock my off stump flying on a regular basis.' 'Don't rule out this Indian side because the England bowling is inexperienced,' said Vaughan. 'The Indian batting is inexperienced, but they've got so much talent. And how much worth do you put on the experience of the pressure that they cope with in the IPL? 'Sai Sudharsan is just dominating the IPL once again. Karun Nair is a regular run-scorer. All these players are so flamboyant and know how to deal with the pressure. 'I guess if the Duke ball moves around, they'll struggle, but if it's a few weeks of dryness and the ball doesn't do a great deal, Jaspit Bumrah might be the key.' Vaughan makes England favourites to win the series against India in what is a huge year for Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes as leaders of the team. Following the series with India this summer is an Ashes campaign in Australia over the winter and Vaughan feels the Test team now have the chance to prove that their thrill-seeking game plan, indulged in risk, has both substance and style. 'The Test team have been fantastic to watch, brilliant,' he said. 'But they haven't won an Ashes and they've not got to a World Test Championship final. 'I guess if they don't do that, you'd argue that playing the expansive way has been royally entertaining, but didn't get the cherries at the end of it. 'This year gives them an opportunity to get some nice silverware. That's what you want. 'If you can win things by playing entertainingly, it's the right way to play. and entertain the crowd, be expansive, but I don't think you can be expansive all the time.' MORE: Alastair Cook feels answer is clear in Jacob Bethell vs Ollie Pope debate MORE: Ben Duckett has a bit of Brian Lara about him and won't back down against Jasprit Bumrah in India Tests MORE: Ben Stokes could unleash Bazball on steroids when Zimbabwe make their overdue Test-match return to England
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michael Vaughan pinpoints how England can beat India in five-Test series
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has laid down what he thinks is the key to success in the upcoming Test series against India. Ben Stokes' side host the visiting India in a five-match series which starts on Friday 20 June, at Headingley in Leeds. Advertisement It comes after England beat Zimbabwe in a one-off text match, now entering the first series of the summer against an India side without a clutch of their top stars. Vaughan, 50, who was the Test captain between 2003 and 2008, is part of the new four-person presenting team at The Overlap and Betfair's new Stick to Cricket show. Alongside England favourites Sir Alistair Cook, Phil 'Tuffers' Tufnell and David 'Bumble' Lloyd, Vaughan will host the new weekly show which follows the Stick to Football podcast led by Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Jill Scott. Sir Alistair Cook is also a part of the new Stick to Cricket show (Betfair/Stick to Cricket) Speaking at the launch, he said: 'England's record against India here in the UK in the last three times they've won 4-1, 3-1 and they were 2-1 down and they came back the year after and drew 2-2. Primarily, beating India at home, England have bowled to take the top of off-stump better. Advertisement 'So, that's all I'm talking to the team about. Make sure that you try and press them on that forward defence. That's all you need to do. Keep pressing them on the forward defence, and I reckon they snick off.' After opening the series at Vaughan's former home ground, England face India at Edgbaston, Lord's, and Old Trafford, before rounding off at The Oval. 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.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Phil Tufnell gives honest five-word response when asked about Question of Sport axe
Phil Tufnell gives honest five-word response when asked about Question of Sport axe EXCLUSIVE: Phil Tufnell was a staple figure on British television throughout his time on A Question of Sport up until the day the BBC shook up the show Phil Tufnell was on A Question of Sport for 13 years (Image: PA ) Phil Tufnell has admitted that he was not surprised when the BBC decided to part with himself, Sue Barker and Matt Dawson on A Question of Sport. Tufnell, 59, had been a team captain on the panel show since 2007 until he was let go by the BBC as part of a reshuffle in 2020. The England cricket legend was one of the most recognisable figures on the show, until he made way for Paddy McGuinness, hockey star Sam Quek and rugby ace Ugo Monye. When the new format of the show was shelved in 2023, ex-BBC Football Focus presenter Dan Walker suggested the Beeb may have, "alienated their core audience while searching for a new one" when they decided to axe Tufnell and his show mates. Barker was also upset with the way the decision was handled. Tufnell held no resentment when he was informed about his departure. Speaking at the launch of The Overlap and Betfair's Stick to Cricket show, Tufnell looked back on the decision and said: "You can't do things forever." He added: " They had been talking about it and what have you. I wasn't really involved in it. We'd all been doing it for a while. Well, more than a while, around 13 or 14 years I'd been captain. "You can't do things forever. They fancied a bit of a refresh. We were just sort of like, 'Okay, well, there you go. Thanks very much for the memories. I thoroughly enjoyed every single show. Loved every minute of it.' Article continues below "Now we're doing the theatre show. It's not called a Question of Sport, of course. We're all good friends, all got a very similar sense of humour. We all get on very well, so it's great to be back recreating it a little bit. Tufnell had been on the show for 13 years when he was told he would be leaving in 2020 (Image: BBC ) "Obviously, you think to yourself, 'Oh crikey' but we wished everyone the best. It was part of our lives.' In a statement released at the time, the BBC said: "We would like to thank Sue for her enormous contribution as the show's longest reigning host over the last 24 years, and Matt and Phil for their excellent team captaincy over 16 and 12 years respectively. "Together they have ensured A Question of Sport remains a firm favourite with the BBC One audience. Sue, Matt and Phil's final series will be broadcast next year." Tufnell will be a guest on the Stick to Cricket podcast, which launches very soon (Image: Betfair/Stick to Cricket podcast ) When the show was shelved in 2023, a BBC spokesman appeared to leave the door ajar for a future reboot, claiming the decision was, "not the final whistle." When asked if he thinks the show may return in the future, potentially with himself, Barker and Dawson's involvement, Tufnell added: " I hope it does come back. "It was part of my childhood. It had been going for 55 years, a long time. I loved the show when I was on it and I loved it as a boy. It was one of those little half an hours that you sat round with your family. "Hopefully, it comes back. I'd be delighted to sit down and watch it. Whether we do it again, I'm not so sure. But, we've had our time haven't we?" Article continues below 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.
Metro
2 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Alastair Cook feels answer is clear in Jacob Bethell vs Ollie Pope debate
Alastair Cook is in no doubt who should be batting at three for England against India this week, confident that Ollie Pope deserves the place over Jacob Bethell. England begin their Test series against India at Headingley on Friday, with the weather in Leeds forecast to be brilliant for the five scheduled days. Although England are not at full strength, due to Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson all struggling for fitness, the line-up is fairly straight forward to predict, other than at number three. The 21-year-old Bethell made a fantastic start to his Test career in New Zealand over the winter, scoring 260 runs over three matches and averaging 52. However, he did not play in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May, with Pope returning to number three and scoring 171 in a dominant England victory. Bethell was absent from that game as he was playing in the IPL, a decision from England that was criticised at the time by Michael Atherton and now Cook lays some blame at the player's feet, suggesting he should be prioritising Test cricket. 'He didn't play in the Zimbabwe Test match for whatever reason and that kind of irks me a little bit for a guy who loves Test cricket,' Cook told Metro, speaking at the launch of The Overlap and Betfair's Stick to Cricket. 'So then Ollie Pope plays. Ollie Pope gets 100, so he plays. That's how I would go about selection.' One of England's all-time greats is not down on Bethell's talent, but feels he is yet to have seen enough of him to be convinced he deserves a key position in the Test side. 'I don't think you can be fully convinced about anyone. Apart from Joe Root or Brian Lara, or somebody like that,' he said. 'We're looking at a 21-year-old. He's had a really good start to his International career and his franchise career, but without a shadow of a doubt there's questions about the guy because he's 21 years old. 'The one thing I have to take at face value is a lot of people who you respect the opinions of, including Andrew Flintoff, Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes, Rob Key, Joe Root, say this guy's the real deal. 'I'm not that close to Jacob Bethell, I haven't seen enough of him in certain situations, so you're taking their opinion on that.' He added on Stick to Cricket: 'When I left New Zealand I thought they'll go with Jacob Bethell but if he isn't leaving the IPL to come and play a Test match, for whatever reason that it, it's not a punishment, but that's the way the cards have fallen whether it's Bethell's fault or not. 'If he's that desperate to play I would have said he would have come out and played, then he'd have guaranteed his England selection. I don't care what's going on behind the scenes on that.' Cook may have been disappointed by Bethell's decision to play at the IPL, but he has been impressed by his mentality when on the field. 'I can only admire the way Bethell's taken to international cricket,' he said. 'He's certainly one of those players where the occasion doesn't over-rule him, he looks mentally good. 'He's done well to cope with everything, because when he got selected, I thought that's a hell of a task for him. 'But he's played a handful of games. Let's judge him in two years, three years and if he flies, absolutely fantastic. But I think we're all allowed to say: 'It's very early days, he's played three Test matches, got no professional 100s. Let's just let him develop'.' England's manager director Rob Key is relaxed on the call at number three, saying that is a good selection headache to have. 'I don't see it as a problem, really. You win either way, really,' Key told the Telegraph's cricket podcast. 'You've got two brilliant players that can do that role. Ollie Pope's been fantastic in that tough spot; he played brilliantly in New Zealand, alright, he was in a different role, but we've got two brilliant options in those spots. 'A tough decision is when you've got no options, and you've got to just then try and find something from nowhere. That's when I'm sort of scratching my head. This one is: 'Which really good player are we going to pick?' It's a good position to be in.' MORE: Ben Duckett has a bit of Brian Lara about him and won't back down against Jasprit Bumrah in India Tests MORE: Ben Stokes could unleash Bazball on steroids when Zimbabwe make their overdue Test-match return to England
