July 23rd 2023.
Michael Vaughan is convinced England have been the better team during the Ashes series, even though Australia have retained the urn. Despite going 2-1 up following a fortuitous draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Vaughan believes England had the upper hand throughout the series.
Speaking on BBC's Test Match Special, Vaughan said: "I always say in a five-match series the best team always win, it's five games and it's such a long process that you always end up the best team winning. But I honestly think England have been the better team in this series."
England had taken a 2-0 lead in the Ashes with two narrow victories at Edgbaston and Lord's, before Australia kept the series alive with a three-wicket win at Headingley. Vaughan noted that England had missed opportunities in the field at Edgbaston, and a silly batting approach at Lord's had cost them the chance of a series lead.
England were on course to level the Ashes and force a fifth Test decider before the weather came to Australia's rescue in Manchester. Vaughan was frustrated by the outcome: "It is the wrong way to decide a Test match, never mind an Ashes-defining kind of Test match. This is no way to retain the Ashes, let's be honest. Australia will take it though."
Vaughan also said England would "absolutely wipe" Australia at The Oval if the tourists play as they did in Manchester. After being restricted to 317 on a good batting surface, England piled on 592 thanks to Zak Crawley's 189, Jonny Bairstow's 99 not out and fifties from Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes and Harry Brook.
Australia legend Glenn McGrath, meanwhile, said: "Australia's job this week was to not lose this Test and retain the Ashes. They had to survive three days and they played this game in that survival mode. They've looked a bit ugly and negative doing it. Australia came in with a clear plan, probably not the usual Australia way, but they achieved it."
England will look to avoid an Ashes defeat at The Oval next week, while the tourists are still bidding to become the first Australian team to win a Test series on these shores since 2001.
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