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Class is permanent
Nasser says England's skipper will soon be back in the runs...
Posted: 13th May 2008 16:12
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Early exit: Vaughan tosses his bat after losing his wicket
I bumped into Michael Vaughan at Lord's on Monday and he was able to laugh at himself saying 'I'm the bloke who got 0 and 1 against Loughborough University, how are you doing?' That's what gets Michael through difficult situations.
Nasser Hussain
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The summer is here and England get underway against New Zealand this week looking to continue where they left off in Napier.
There are some batsmen breathing down the necks of the six who will start for England at Lord's with one player in particular under pressure - the captain.
Michael Vaughan has come under pressure to score runs this summer as there are some out there who feel he does not warrant his place given his recent form.
As a captain who is not scoring as many runs as you would like it's an added pressure because you feel the vultures circling.
And because this is a low-profile series as well the Press need a talking point. That talking point at the moment is Vaughan's lack of runs.
But it only takes one hundred to put all that to bed.
Leader
Also, as captain if you're leaving a player out you would like to have runs behind you so you can go up to a player and say 'look, sorry but you're not playing.'
For example if Michael turns to Hoggard and tells him he is not in the XI you don't want Hoggard turning round and saying 'well it would be nice if you got some, Skip'.
But I don't think we're at that stage with Vaughan just yet.
I would say right now that I think Vaughan should be captain for at least the next 18 months - he is by far the best candidate to lead us into the Ashes series next summer.
England are a better side with Vaughan in charge, he's a fantastic captain, he's a fantastic player and he hasn't had that much of a loss of form for England - he's still averaging 40 over the last year.
He's got five hundreds at Lord's, only Graham Gooch has got more, so I think Vaughan will be absolutely fine.
He'll need runs for his own peace of mind but as far as I'm concerned there are no doubts whatsoever in my head with Vaughan as captain, and also that he will lead England into the next Ashes series.
Cool
Michael is a cool customer but he'll be thinking about the criticism.
Myself, Athers and Michael Holding bumped into Michael at Lord's on Monday and he was able to laugh at himself.
He walked into the room and said 'I'm the bloke who got 0 and 1 against Loughborough University, how are you doing?'
That's what gets Michael through difficult situations, he's a fairly relaxed sort of character.
I'm not a betting man but I might have a few quid on Vaughan rocking up at Lord's - a ground that he likes to play at - with a big score.
He won't be getting himself into mental turmoil at the moment, he'll work hard and I'll have a few quid on him getting a hundred in the first Test and proving the doubters wrong.
Do you agree with Nasser Hussain? Is Michael Vaughan still the man to lead England and will he end his barren run of form? Let us know by filling in the feedback form below.
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Comments
Mark Clay says...
Michael Vaughan, my Lord, Michael Vaughan. Ritchie Benaud always advocated doing that which the opposition would least like. Who do you think the Australians would least like to see leading the England team onto the field that first morning of the next Ashes series?
Posted 21:19 19th May 2008
Richard Brown says...
I agree with Nas that Vaughan should be at the helm for next 18 months. However this should not stop the selectors having a replacement in mind should Vaughan's difficulties with the bat persist in that time. I feel that it would merely be precautionary as Vaughans class will rise to the surface again in that time, but preparation is a massive part of sport these days, so the selectors should make sure they are as prepared as they expect the players to be!
Posted 20:00 17th May 2008
Paul Govier says...
Couldn't agree with Nasser more...The amount of times he has got england out of trouble with his tactical nouse..with bowling changes and fielding changes.... when they seem to have there backs against the wall...i can't believe there's even talk of him of him being dropped.... i'd pick him if he averaged ten.... i think his captaincey always makes up for what he doesn't score.... the players seem much more relaxed in the field when he plays and if the players are relaxed they are bound to perform better!!
Posted 00:36 17th May 2008
Jonathon Champion says...
I must agree with Nasser. The simple fact is there is knowone better as a leader. I find it amazing that people are even questioning Michael's place in the starting xi. We have a solid batting line up an i dont see why it needs changing. Maybe you could argue with possibly Strauss but not Vaughan for me! Who would you replace him with? come on, lets get behind our inspirational leader and roar him and the troops through a succesfull summer then hopefully, with Vaughan in command take the ashes back home in 12 months time and wipe the smile off the faces of those smug ozzies! My message to all the doubters is Vaughan Captain an playing for a long time to come!
Posted 11:16 15th May 2008
Phil Burgess says...
I agree with Nass, Michael may not have had a good innings for Yorkshire (but to be fair he has always played better for England than the county). But as a Captain myself who opens the batting, it is not an easy job to do both and there is always more on your mind than just your performance. No other member of the team has stood out, colly is still learning in the ODI's and hasn't in my opinion got himself quite there yet so if anyone is going to say drop him now, back that up with a suitable candidate and remember that a good player does not a good captain make.
Posted 15:56 14th May 2008
Pete Le maitre says...
Spot on Nasser Top class Batsman, but a Brilliant Captain. The difference in the teams body language & therefore chances of success is noticeably healthier when Michael Vaughan is around.Quiet confidence & an average of 40 odd tells its own story.Remember Mike Brierley & Headingly 1981 before thinking of dropping Vaughan.
Posted 14:20 14th May 2008
Donald Baily says...
MICHAEL VAUGHAN HAS BEEN A GREAT CAPTAIN AND HAS STILL GOT PLENTY OF RUNS IN HIS LOCKER. APART FROM THE RUNS HE HAS BEEN A GREAT CAPTAIN AND KNOWS HOW TO GET THE BEST OUT OF HIS TEAM. LETS GET BEHIND HIM AND WISH HIM WELL.
Posted 13:50 14th May 2008
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