Tim Paine has responded to comments from Michael Vaughan regarding Australia’s batting tactics during the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval.
After watching Australia bat slowly on Day 2, former England captain Michael Vaughan said he felt it was the worst he has seen the Aussies perform in his time watching cricket.
Usman Khawaja made 47 off 157 balls and Marnus Labuschagne 9 from 82 balls as the tourists went about their business with caution as they attempted to fight back after England made 283 in the first dig.
Reacting to Australia’s slow-moving strategy, Vaughan felt it was a fearful innings.
“They are taking home the urn, but I’ve never seen Australia play with so much fear,” Vaughan told the BBC.
“They are usually so aggressive and try to take the game forward.
“They have just sat in to bat a long period of time without remembering you have to put a bit of pressure on the bowlers.
“This morning I thought it was the worst I’ve ever seen Australia bat in my time watching them. They never play like that.”
In response to Vaughan’s comments, former Aussie captain Paine defended Khawaja and Labuschagne for digging in and getting their team back on track.
Paine also had a little dig at England’s ‘BazBall’ game plan with a drive-by for Vaughan in the process.
“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.”
Australia also batted patiently in their second innings and it’s proving a sound tactic as they now find themselves in a strong position of winning the Test.
David Warner is 58 not out and Khawaja is unbeaten on 69 with Australia 0-135 and 249 runs behind at stumps on Day 4.
Paine criticised England’s bowling strategy in not using Mark Wood until late, which boosted Australia’s chances of claiming the Test match and the series, let alone saving it.
“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.”
Australia is chasing its first Ashes series win on English soil since 2001.
The action from The Oval continues from 8pm AEST on Monday night and you can hear all the acton LIVE across the SEN network.