That is the Australian team I have known – Michael Vaughan hails visitors for fightback in first Test

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan lauded Australia for bouncing back in the ongoing first Ashes Test match against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. After England surprisingly decided to declare at 393-8, Australia scored 386, courtesy of a fine knock of 141 from opener Usman Khawaja.

On a rain-curtailed third day’s play, Australia took two England’s wickets after the hosts could only score 28 runs. Pat Cummins and Scott Boland removed England openers – Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley respectively.

Meanwhile, Australia are always known to never back down without a fight and they have done well in the first Ashes Test so far. In fact, Australia lost their last four wickets for only 14 runs in the first essay but their bowlers were able to finish off the third day’s strongly.

“That is the Australian team I have known for all of the time I have been watching Test cricket,” former England captain Michael Vaughan noted.

“In that first period before the rain, Australia were terrible,” Vaughan said on BBC Test Match Special.

Vaughan added that Australia came up with a positive mindset and it made a lot of difference.

“Since Australia came back out it has been a different mindset, different fields. There has been help with the conditions, and the ball started to move, but it is just the mindset.

“Australia have said to the batters ‘we are here to get you out, not just spread the fields and let you knock it around’.”

Vaughan urged England batters to be a bit cautious in the second innings as Bazball can also backfire if they decide to play aggressively on the fourth day’s morning.

“My worry for England would be if they go too hard too soon, they could find themselves four done very quickly. Bazball needs some sleep, a kip and to come back tomorrow.”

England will want to put their noses in front and Joe Root is going to hold the key for the home team.