World Cup 2023: Mohammed Shami made Ben Stokes look very amateurish, says Michael Vaughan

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan feels Mohammed Shami made Ben Stokes look very amateurish at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Sunday. Shami breathed down the neck of the talismanic all-rounder during his 10-ball stay and made it as uncomfortable as he could for the left-hander.

The ace fast bowler went past Stokes’ outside edge on numerous occasions and the southpaw had no answers as he looked at sea. Shami ended Stokes’ misery at the crease as he bowled at the stumps when the all-rounder was looking to play a big shot to get himself out of trouble.

Stokes has all the experience under his belt and has won many big matches for England but he looked perplexed while facing Shami. The gun fast bowler returned with impressive figures of 4-22 against the defending champions and has now claimed nine wickets in two matches of the World Cup 2023 at an impressive average of 8.44. Shami has picked up a total of 40 wickets in 13 World Cup matches.

“Shami’s over to Stokes was as good an over as you’ll see. I remember Andrew Flintoff bowling an over to Ricky Ponting in 2005, which many talk about as a great, great over. Shami’s over to Ben Stokes, who is a great player, and he made him look very amateurish,” said Vaughan while talking to Cricbuzz.

India has won all of their six matches and they are the only unbeaten team in the World Cup. The hosts once again won against England comprehensively by 100 runs and Vaughan feels the Rohit Sharma-led team is sending a strong message to other teams.

“India seem to be sending a message in every game. To defend 230 so easily, I know England arent playing well and are low on confidence but they’re still a good side. And to win by 100 runs, I’m sure the other sides are watching this and thinking how do you beat this side?,” Vaughan added.

India will next take on Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.