Vaughan criticises England after dramatic Ashes batting collapse

Brisbane, 6 December 2025:

Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticised England’s lack of resistance in the final session of the third day of the Ashes Test, saying the tourists “failed to show any fight” after a promising start.

England, who trailed by 177 runs after the first innings, reached the dinner break at 45–0 under the lights in Brisbane. But their top order crumbled in the final session, slipping to 134–6 by stumps.

“Surely as a team you’ve just got to think, ‘just fight,’” Vaughan said on the broadcast. “You’re under lights at Brisbane with an hour and 10 minutes to go. You saw how Australia grafted earlier in the day to get themselves into that position.”

England lost Ben Duckett soon after the interval but appeared steady at 90–1 before losing five wickets for 38 runs. Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope both offered return catches to Michael Neser, while Joe Root, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith edged behind.

“How many sporting teams have you seen succeed over a long period by playing only one way especially against quality opposition?” Vaughan said. “If you occupy the crease, it gets easier. It’s not always perfect from the start. Sometimes you have to scrap, stay in, learn the conditions and eventually find your rhythm.”

Ben Stokes and Will Jacks, both unbeaten on four, will resume Sunday. England still need 43 more runs just to force Australia to bat again.