Former England captain Michael Vaughan has lauded Brendon McCullum 's men in light of their Test triumph over New Zealand and said the national team is "to be feared" once more.
Only a fortnight has passed since head coach McCullum and new captain Ben Stokes took control of the team, but already England's prospects appear revitalised. Jonny Bairstow led an all-action charge on the fifth day as England completed a chase of 299 in only 50 overs, a five-wicket win in the second Test that gave fans cause for new hope.
"This will send a message around the cricketing world that this England Test side is to be feared and they will go toe-to-toe with Australia next summer," Vaughan wrote in his latest Telegraph column.
"The timid England, scared of failure, has disappeared just two Test matches into the new regime. This team is very much in its infancy but after only eight days of Test cricket we know the Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes combination have ripped off the shackles. It is the same team, more or less, but they have been freed up and it has totally changed their psychology."
It's been clear from the outset that McCullum—who still holds the record for the fastest century in Test cricket—wants England to be an attacking force once again. It was prior to the first Lord's Test that England need to be "strong, competitive and playing a watchable style of cricket."
In that sense they've delivered during these opening weeks of the new regime. Vaughan heaped further praise on Stokes, whom he said reminds him of the late Shane Warne in his ability to inspire those around him.
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"The great Shane Warne gave people around him confidence and made them believe in themselves," wrote the former Yorkshire veteran. "He made them feel that bit taller and stronger. I just think Stokes has got a bit of that Warne magic.
"Don’t forget Ben played the greatest Test innings of all time at Headingley in 2019 [during the Ashes] so it is no surprise that he thinks his team can win from anywhere. He has done it himself. He will have that inner belief in his own ability which will transcend to his players."
England will attempt to complete their clean sweep of the Kiwis when the two teams reconvene for a third and final Test in Leeds starting June 23. A fresh focus on entertainment may not make McCullum's side the best in the world, says Vaughan, but it will make them a force fans race to watch once more.
