"Just do it a bit quicker" - Michael Vaughan's advice to Ben Stokes amid complaints about over-rate after NZ vs ENG 2024 1st Test

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has urged Ben Stokes to make it quicker on the field instead of complaining about over-rates. Vaughan's statement for the current England Test skipper comes after the seam-bowling all-rounder called out the International Cricket Council (ICC) for deducting their World Test Championship (WTC) points after the opening Test against New Zealand.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday (December 4), Stokes argued that the match in Christchurch against New Zealand finished in four days. The 33-year-old went on to claim that over-rate fines hardly apply in Asia, given spin plays a significant role.

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, the 50-year-old called for Stokes' teammates to help him out on the field and not force their captain to come running to him. He wrote:

"Ben is brilliant with his tactical changes. His brain is alive in the field and that pushes the limits so he cannot then complain when his team are punished for slow over rates. They know the rules. Just do it a bit quicker. Also, Ben’s fielders know his tactics."

"They should instinctively be aware of where to stand. He has been in charge for long enough that it should be ingrained in the players. They do not need to be talked to after every over or ball and told where to go."

The 2023 Ashes series hosted by England saw them lose a staggering 19 points due to slow over-rates.

"Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s celebrations seemed to go on and on" - Michael Vaughan

Vaughan also called out today's batters for their prolonged celebrations, citing Virat Kohli's and Yashasvi Jaiswal's examples from the Perth Test against Australia. On this, he added:

"In the Perth Test between Australia and India recently only 77 overs were bowled on one day. Century celebrations seem to go on for five minutes. It used to be a quick handshake with your partner and a wave of the bat to the crowd.

"But Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s celebrations seemed to go on and on. It was their Instagram or TikTok moment, and I get that, but it just means more delays while they soak it up and pose for the cameras."

While England are out of the World Test Championship final contention, India, Australia and New Zealand remain firmly in the mix.