Ashes 2025-26: Michael Vaughan says it would be 'amateurish' if England do not play pink-ball warm-up

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed his surprise that the team is planning to miss out on a pink-ball warm-up match before the second Ashes Test. He believes that this would be "amateurish" and that the team should play some competitive cricket under lights with the pink ball.

Vaughan's comments come after England's crushing two-day defeat in the first Test against Australia, which saw the visitors power to a target of 205 for victory. The former captain praised Travis Head's stunning 123 from 83 balls as key to Australia's success.

Vaughan believes that playing some competitive cricket with the pink ball would help the team prepare better for the day-night match in Brisbane. He argues that it would give the players a chance to gain experience with the pink ball and improve their skills under lights.

However, former Australia cricketer Stuart Law has questioned the merits of sending the Test players to Canberra for a pink-ball warm-up match. He points out that the conditions in Canberra are different from those in Brisbane and may not provide much benefit to the team.

The England captain, Ben Stokes, had initially stated that the team would not alter its plans, but Vaughan's comments have raised questions about the wisdom of this decision. The pink-ball warm-up match could prove to be a valuable learning experience for the English players, especially if they are to challenge Australia in the upcoming Ashes series.

The England captain also acknowledged that he felt "shell-shocked" after the team's defeat in Perth and defended his side's batting performance on day two, praising those who had success against the Australian bowlers. However, Vaughan's comments have highlighted a clear need for improvement in England's batting department if they are to succeed in the Ashes series.

Overall, Vaughan's comments have added an important perspective to the debate about the team's preparation for the Ashes series. His emphasis on the importance of playing competitive cricket with the pink ball could prove crucial in helping England improve their skills and gain a better understanding of how to tackle Australia's day-night format.
 
I think it's super reasonable for Michael Vaughan to say that the team should play some competitive cricket under lights with the pink ball ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ’ก. I mean, they got absolutely hammered in the first Test and now they're planning to miss a warm-up match? It doesn't make sense to me. Playing with the pink ball would've given them a chance to get comfortable with it and improve their skills, which is exactly what Vaughan said was needed ๐Ÿ’ช.

Stuart Law's point about the conditions being different in Canberra vs Brisbane is valid tho ๐Ÿ˜. But I think England should still find a way to make this work. Ben Stokes said they wouldn't change plans, but now that Vaughan's come out and spoken up, it's got everyone talking ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ. It's definitely time for them to rethink their strategy and give the pink ball some serious attention ๐Ÿ”ฅ.

I'm all about the team getting better and preparing for the Ashes series, and I think playing with the pink ball is a crucial part of that ๐Ÿ’ฏ. If they don't take this opportunity to learn and improve, it's gonna be tough for them to compete against Australia ๐Ÿคฆโ€โ™‚๏ธ.
 
I don't get it, why they gotta miss out on that warm-up match? I mean, Vaughan makes a point, playing under lights with the pink ball is key, but what's the harm in sending some of the squad down to Canberra? It's not like they're gonna find some hidden secret in Brisbane. And yeah, they got thrashed in Perth, so maybe it's time for a change in strategy. But still, I think Law has a point too, conditions are different and all that. But come on, at least give the guys a chance to get some experience with that pink ball. It'd be pretty cool to see them adapt to it. ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ’ก
 
I think its weird that they're skipin this pink-ball warm-up match ๐Ÿค”. Vaughan makes a legit point, playin some competitive cricket under lights would help 'em prep for the Brisbane Test. I mean, if you ain't used to playin with the pink ball, it's like tryin to tackle a new opponent in a game - you gotta get familiar first! ๐ŸŽพ And Stuart Law's right too, Canberra's conditions are different from Brisbane, so it wouldn't be much help either way. Stokes was straight up on it when he said they ain't changin' plans, but Vaughan's comments have got everyone talkin'... maybe they should give it a shot? ๐Ÿคž
 
๐Ÿค” The thing is, Vaughan's on point re the pink-ball warm-up match. I mean, if they're gonna get thrashed by 205 runs, what's the point of even playing? ๐Ÿ™„ They should be out there practicing under lights with that pink ball so they can learn how to handle it. It's not like they're gonna magically become day-night specialists overnight ๐Ÿ˜‚. And Law's right too, Canberra's conditions are different from Brisbane, but it's still better than nothing. The team needs a wake-up call and this could be it. They gotta start taking this Ashes series seriously or they'll get left behind ๐Ÿš€.
 
I'm totally against sending the Test players to Canberra for a pink-ball warm-up match ๐Ÿ™…โ€โ™‚๏ธ... I mean, isn't it the right thing to do? ๐Ÿค” But at the same time, what if it doesn't help them prepare better for the day-night match in Brisbane? ๐Ÿ˜ฌ Vaughan's got a point about playing competitive cricket under lights with the pink ball, but I'm also worried that they're gonna get distracted by all the extra games and not focus on the Ashes series... ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ It's like, do we prioritize learning to play with the pink ball or actually beating Australia in the series? ๐Ÿ† Ugh, my brain hurts from all this contradicting myself ๐Ÿ˜ฉ.
 
๐Ÿค” You know what's wild? I was just watching this old vid of me trying to make pancakes as a kid ๐Ÿฅž๐Ÿ˜‚ and I'm pretty sure I messed that up so badly it'd put a pro chef to shame! Anyway, back to cricket... have you ever noticed how some cricketers are just naturally better under lights? Like, what's going on with England's batting game right now? They're getting shell-shocked out there. Maybe Vaughan is onto something with the pink ball warm-up match? ๐ŸŒ…๐Ÿ’ก
 
I think Vaughan's got a point, tbh ๐Ÿค”. Playing some competitive matches under lights with the pink ball would've been a sick way for England to prep for Brisbane. I mean, they gotta know how to handle the pink ball and get used to playing in day-night conditions if they wanna take on Australia. Law's right that Canberra's not exactly the same as Brisbane, but maybe that's just an excuse ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ. It'd've been a great opportunity for England to learn from their mistakes and improve their batting skills. Ben Stokes needs to reconsider his plan, imo ๐Ÿ˜.
 
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