Michael Vaughan tells England to make two changes ahead of second India Test

Michael Vaughan has called for England's cricket team to drop two of their young stars in order to have the best chance of winning the second test at Lord's.

The 2005 Ashes winning captain said that he "wouldn't play" the struggling Zak Crawley and Dan Lawrence.

Speaking before rain washed out the final day of the first test at Trent Bridge, Vaughan said: "Zak Crawley could be a high-class Test match player but he’s not got enough runs. I wouldn’t play Crawley at Lord’s but he could well go to Australia.

"He could suit going out of this environment for a while, play some different formats, iron out his technique. It could refresh him."

Crawley has endured a torrid 2021 after bursting onto the scene last summer with a ridiculous knock of 267 against Pakistan.

He scored just 33 runs between the two innings at Trent Bridge, with his first-innings score of 27 being only the second time this year he has scored more than 20 all year.

With regards to Lawerence, Vaughan remains unimpressed by the Essex man's technique. He said: "Dan Lawrence has the ability to hit some high-quality shots but you certainly wouldn’t mind bowling to him early on in his innings with that technique."

In terms of who should replace the two young batsmen, Vaughan thinks a recall for Haseeb Hameed could be in the offing after the 24-year-old was included in the squad for the first test.

Vaughan also thinks Dawid Malan should be in coach Chris Silverwood's plans, but the Welshman is not in the squad and is currently playing for Trent Rockets in The Hundred.

Vaughan said: "I would bring Haseeb Hameed in for Zak Crawley. I’d also bring Dawid Malan in but he’s clearly not in England’s Test plans."

Silverwood admitted that Hameed in particular would be hard to ignore when it comes to selection for the second test. Speaking to reporters on Monday, the coach said: "He's the type of character that we want within that group as well.

"I think he is making a very strong case and, at some point, we may have to make a decision and give him an opportunity."

Vaughan also expressed concern about the form and technique of opening batsman Dom Sibley. Sibley has been criticised for his slow scoring pace and inability to play shots through the off side.

Vaughan said: "Dom Sibley has done enough to stay in the side but you wonder how much further he can progress. He just can’t go up through the gears and the bowlers are able to control him."

The second test gets underway on Thursday with England perhaps fortunate to still be level in the series after heavy rain ruined any chance of a result on Sunday.

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