The Ashes: Why Michael Vaughan thinks judgement day is coming for England's decision-makers

One of the most eagerly anticipated tours in a generation got off to a sorry start in Perth, where Ben Stokes’ side suffered a first two-day loss against Australia in 104 years.

That cranked up the pressure ahead of next week’s day/night Test in Brisbane but those responsible for England’s strategy – notably Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key – have rejected the chance to send senior players to Canberra for a pink-ball practice match at the weekend.

That has been met with disappointment and incredulity in some quarters, not least former Yorkshire batter Vaughan, but the current regime have never bowed to traditional thinking or second guessed their own instincts.

Now the man who regained the urn as England captain in 2005 says those in the top jobs are facing the moment of truth.

“They went 2-0 down in 2023 (later drawing 2-2) and we all gave them a little bit of rope because they were just at the start of the journey,” Vaughan told the Overlap’s Stick to Cricket podcast.

“Have you learned from ’23? From what I’ve seen this week the honest answer is no they haven’t, which disappoints me.

“When you’re in positions of power and leadership you can do exactly what you want but then you get judged on it. This is judgement time. At the minute they’ve had one opportunity here in Australia and it hasn’t worked.”

However, England’s preparations for Brisbane have received support from an unexpected source in the shape of former Australia seamer, Peter Siddle.

Now 40, Siddle will be trying to rekindle his glory years by trying to take English wickets at Manuka Oval but he believes gentler pitches in the capital would not be perfect practice for the pacier tracks awaiting in Queensland.

“The first Test didn’t go to plan for them, but it’s such different conditions, Manuka Oval compared to the Gabba, two totally different surfaces,” he told Fox Sports on the 15th anniversary of his Test hat-trick against England in Brisbane.

“There’s not going to be a lot they can get out of it, other than maybe seeing a pink ball under lights, that’s probably the only benefit they’re going to get.

“It’s a hard one, I know what it’s like being on tour for a long time. It’s only the first Test just gone, but they just came from New Zealand most of that squad so they’ve played a lot of cricket.”

Opener Zak Crawley, meanwhile, is facing mounting scrutiny, heading to Queensland on the back of two ducks and a Test average that has dipped below 31.

But Sir Alastair Cook, who made a remarkable 766 runs at the top of the order in the triumphant tour of 2010-11, believes he will get the entire series to prove himself.

“He’s been picked and backed for three years for this moment,” said Cook. “The decision on Zak will be whether this works over the next eight innings. They can’t change now and won’t change until after Sydney.”