Brendon McCullum’s England have been reprimanded by the cricketing world after a Day Three of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s that saw them bowled out 91 runs short of Australia’s first innings total.
“England clearly like losing,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said on the BBC - referring to Harry Brooks’ questionable shot resulting in his dismissal from a Mitchell Stark short ball.
Vaughan did not reserve his criticism for Brooks alone - Johnny Bairstow’s arrival at the crease and subsequent departure after spooning a simple catch to Pat Cummins off Josh Hazelwood had the England great incensed.
“This is stupid cricket from England. I fear they have forgotten the art of soaking up periods of the game that aren’t easy,” he wrote.
“Test cricket is a test and in that test sometimes you have to soak up pressure. They have gifted wickets to Australia, who are without their off spinner.”