Michael Vaughan suggests that Australia should consider splitting up the opening pairing of David Warner and Usman Khawaja for the upcoming Ashes series.
Vaughan believes that England’s seam duo, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, would be able to exploit a left-handed partnership like Warner and Khawaja in home conditions.
Despite Warner’s lack of success in Test cricket over the past three years, he has been retained for the World Test Championship final against India and the first two Ashes matches. Vaughan proposes that Australia should instead have Mitchell Marsh open with Khawaja. In the previous Ashes series in 2021-22, Australia emerged victorious with a 4-0 win on home soil.
Vaughan added that Marsh’s ability to bowl a few overs made him a good option.
“I would honestly look at someone like Mitchell Marsh to open the batting because it gets him in the team. He’s done all right against England.”
Vaughan said there could still be a place for David Warner lower down in the order.
“The one thing with David Warner, I know England fear him,” Vaughan said.
“He’s such a good player when the ball that’s not moving. The ball won’t move after 30-odd overs in English conditions. Could they find a place for him at five or six?
“I wouldn’t be against looking at him down in the middle of the order to get him in the team because I think (what) others will want is his kind of tenacity and his mentality and his aggressive way.”
The five-test Ashes series begins at Edgbaston on June 16.