Ashes 2025-26: Michael Vaughan Says England Misjudged Australia’s ‘Ageing’ Squad

Michael Vaughan criticised England for mocking Australia’s older squad, pointing out that those experienced players are now outperforming them in the Ashes.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan slammed England’s Ashes campaign, stating that Australia’s experienced team has silenced early criticism with strong performances in the 2025-26 series. Australia won in Perth and Brisbane, with several older players leading key moments.

Vaughan argued that England must rethink their selection strategy, pointing to the contrast between Australia’s Grade-cricket-driven system and England’s tendency to fast-track players. He then pointed out that England rarely considers players with long domestic experience.

“Right now, England is the opposite of Australia. We had a laugh at the age profile of Australia’s team, and there are some cracks that England have failed to open up. But the Australian system has always been about earning the right,” Vaughan wrote for The Telegraph.

“To get in the state team, you need to perform in grade cricket on a Saturday. The whole system is connected in a way ours just is not, top to bottom. Sam Konstas was an outlier last year, almost an England-style selection, but they seem to have learnt from it,” he continued.

“Compare that to Jake Weatherald. At 31, he has been around the block and earned the right. He has been a hardened cricketer over 10 years. I do not think we would even consider looking at someone like him in English cricket. But he just looks ready. In English cricket, we gift our players a lot quickly. Until English cricket addresses all this, and remembers that Test cricket is a tough game that does not allow for shortcuts, the mediocrity will continue. You hear suggestions of weak men. That is what our system has created,” he added.

Vaughan Says England Erred by Skipping Warm-Up Games

Vaughan also criticised England’s decision to skip warm-up games and rely heavily on training before the Ashes, calling it a major error in preparation. He argued that the team’s strict commitment to the Bazball approach has limited opportunities for younger players to gain real match experience.

“The team is told how good they are, and backed constantly, whether they play well or not. English cricket is reaping what it has sown. I do not understand why we don’t want them playing all the time, even if the opposition are not that good. Nets are fine but nothing beats going to bed at night with a score or a few wickets,” wrote Vaughan.

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“It’s a great feeling. That is why I actually thought there was something in what Brendon McCullum said about England training too much before the Test. Training and not playing is just another example of a no-consequence environment. You never know if you are out or not in the nets, and you face another ball anyway,” he concluded.