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Around the Wicket - The FEC Edition

After years at the helm of English cricket, embattled England skipper Michael Vaughan has stepped down as captain of the English test team. The only Englishman in 20 years to say “I captained an Ashes winning side” has let go of the reigns. This is obviously a huge call for Vaughan, because if he is no longer captain – selectors will be forced to decide on his place in the team based purely on his batting. For so long Vaughan was compared to Mike Brearley, with the criticism being that it was his captaincy that kept him in the side, rather than his prowess with the willow.

So now, he no longer has that captaincy to save him if his batting fails. He will be judged solely on how many runs he makes. And it’s a good thing too. I’ve been of the opinion that Vaughan is a struggler with the bat. He makes some big scores on some docile pitches, but often struggles when faced with a lively pitch. He’s not the only batsman in the world to be guilty of such a crime, true – but he’s the skipper (well, not any more), and the number 3. Such a position needs to be filled by the best batsman in the team – someone who can attack at will, or defend staunchly under all conditions.

Vaughan’s batting has been ordinary of late – his stumps have been getting rattled again and again – and he has looked distracted at the crease – a sure sign that he’s not concentrating on each ball bowled to him. Maybe he feels he’s overwhelmed by the captaincy? Maybe he’s overreacting to a series loss?

Whichever way you look at this decision from Virgil – I think you have to applaud his bravery. This next 12 months will be huge for Vaughan, as I believe he will either be gone from the side within 12 months, or he will play his best 12 months of cricket, free from the demands of captaincy.

I’m not sure the ECB will be all that impressed with Vaughan’s decision however, as there seems to be no ready made replacement in the side. I think Cook is a FEC (Future England Captain) and a definite 100 test player, but he’s not ready yet – he needs another 2 or 3 years worth of good batting form to be given that honour. So the candidates would seem to me to be: Flintoff (cough Ashes 07 cough), Pietersen (confidence not an issue – but too arrogant?), Collingwood (ODI skipper – but was dropped one test match ago), or Strauss (I think he’s the vice captain just now)

I’d go for Pietersen – he’d be aggressive, he’d take chances, and he’d try to win from anywhere. I’d then make Alistair Cook vice captain. Feel free to disagree.
Mon 04/08/2008 Dave Bremner 68 views

5 Comments about this article

  • yeah I think pietersen is the best choice for south africa

    Posted by Udara Wis Mon Aug 04, 2008 08:04pm AEST
  • It our fortune that English selectors and media have not shown Michael Vaughan the same latitude we showed Mark Taylor. Being objective Vaughan has been the best leader since Gatting. Again one misfortune with a barmaid in Gattings case and he was goneski. Like yourself I think Kevvie is the best man for the job and will have same "Bulldog" spirit that Tony Greig showed before deciding that Kerry Packers $$$s were better for him

    Posted by John Campo Tue Aug 05, 2008 08:54am AEST
  • So long as the conservative ECB don't bail on him if he makes mistakes by playing positive/attacking cricket, I think he'll be a decent skipper. Hope this doesn't mean he bats with more responsibility though - he's got to keep doing the things that got him there.

    Posted by Dave Bremner Tue Aug 05, 2008 10:05am AEST
  • The trouble with England is there are usually too many excaptains in the side. They should follow Australia's example: once the captain loses his job, he should be dropped. You never see Oz with 4 or 5 ex captains in the side. Think of Gatting, Botham, Gower, Stewart, Hussain et al, all in the side,,practically together, (only a slight exaggeration).

    Posted by Brad Irwin Tue Aug 05, 2008 06:05pm AEST
  • Well, Vaughan has stood down from the 4th test against South Africa, but expects to play again. I think he's been given a lot of latitude regarding his batting - based on his captaincy. That no longer exists, and I reckon Vaughan won't be playing in the Ashes in 2009. You heard it here first.

    Posted by Dave Bremner Tue Aug 05, 2008 06:36pm AEST

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