Australia's Usman Khawaja and David Warner during a break in play. (Reuters) Former Australia captain Tim Paine has made a scathing attack on Michael Vaughan, who had heavily criticised Australia’s batting display on Day 2 of the fifth Ashes Test.
“They are taking home the urn, but I’ve never seen Australia play with so much fear,” Vaughan had told the BBC.
While responding to Vaughan’s comments, Paine defended Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne for digging in under difficult batting condition.
“It’s frustrating when you hear things like that,” he said on SEN Tassie Breakfast.
“He’s entitled to his opinion and maybe it was the worst he’s ever seen them bat, although I think that’s a fair stretch over his whole career. Given how dark it was, the lights were on, how well England were bowling.
“There’s no doubt that Marnus is not batting anywhere near his best at the moment. However, it’s a Test match and you’re allowed to fight, you’re allowed to dig in.
“If it gets hard in a Test match, you don’t have to slog, you don’t have to try and belt the ball everywhere. You can actually put a price on your wicket to try and dig deep for your team.
“That’s what I thought Marnus and Usman were both doing. To say that they’re negative or they’re scared to get out… You’re talking about a bloke who averages 54 in Test cricket and another who averages nearly 50.
“I don’t think Michael Vaughan was on that level. I know he played more Tests (82) than Marnus, but to say that it’s the worst he’s seen them batting, I completely disagree.
“You’re allowed to fight for your innings. If it looks like you’re scared of getting out, well so be it. Put a price on your wicket and dig deep.
“That’s what I thought they both did.”
Chasing a massive total of 384, Australia in their second essay were 135 for 0 with David Warner batting on unbeaten 58, Usman Khawaja on 69 not out. The tourists need 249 runs on Day 5 to win the Ashes 3-1.
“To hold him back as long as they did I thought was staggering, unless he was injured,” he added.
“They bowled Moeen Ali on one leg and they bowled Joe Root before the went to their number one strike bowler.
“They got what they deserved, 0-135, and the Aussies are in a great position now needing just another 249 runs to win.
“There’s a saying in cricket, ‘The hardest runs to score are the winning runs’. A high-pressure Test match with the series on the line, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a few more twists and turns.
“Given the way we’ve batted in this Ashes, we’ve left the door ajar a few times. It’s a terrific start, but we need one of those guys to go on and get a big hundred and the rest of the guys to chip in with them.”
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