Miller wants explanation
Vaughan asked to clarify comments on Headingley selection
Last updated: 23rd July 2008
Vaughan: must explain selection comments
I want to hear his side of the story.
Geoff Miller
Quotes of the week
Related links
Teams
Players
Also see
The fall-out from England's second Test defeat has led national selector Geoff Miller to ask captain Michael Vaughan for an explanation of his post-match comments.
Vaughan admitted that England were unsettled by a 'confused' selection after being outplayed to lose by 10 wickets to South Africa at Headingley, a result that puts them 1-0 down at the mid-point of the four-match series.
The selectors have attracted considerable criticism for the late call-up of Nottinghamshire's Australian-raised seamer Darren Pattinson, 29, who had made just 11 previous first-class appearances.
"The selectors are not here to make Michael's job harder, which is why I'd like him to clarify his comments," Miller told The Daily Telegraph.
"It's been made into a massive issue by the media and I want to hear his side of the story."
Miller added in The Sun: "This is professional sport. I'm the national selector, Michael is the captain - we're both in this together. We must make sure we're on an even keel."
The third Test begins at Edgbaston on July 30.
Features
No steel in Gunners
Matt Le Tissier says it is time to stop talking about Arsenal being title contenders.
High stakes for Lopez
Mark Petchey says Feliciano Lopez could hold the key to Spanish Davis Cup glory in this week's final.
Real risk for Schuster
Guillem casts his eye over La Liga and sees Bernd Schuster on the brink and Fernando Llorente on the rise.
Comments
Mike Davis says...
Pattinson performed well for England at the weekend - yes, his selection was a surprise and I think a message was sent to poor Matthew Hoggard with his inclusion. However, just because he was a new selection, and not one of the Captain's "Unit" as he calls it, Vaughan comes out with these pathetic remarks.....Pattinson even performed reasonably with the bat at the tail end of the second innings. I suspect Matthew Hoggard (for whom I have utmost sympathy) may have fared no better with the ball.....So, isn't Michael Vaughan trying to detract from the real issue here which was the performance of the batsmen, especially first innings - in particular himself - his efforts at the crease in the last couple of tests have been downright desperate to be honest -these days he is selected for his captaincy "skills" alone at the cost of an in-form batsman. Time for Mr.Vaughan to go and help Yorkshire out for a few games, he's certainly gone down in my estimation - what utter rubbish he's talking !!
Posted 14:27 23rd July 2008
Brian Thomas says...
So Geoff Millar wants an explanation from Michael Vaughan. Surely Its the fans that want an explanation from Geoff Millar as to why a bowler with virtually NO experience is suddenly drafted in, in front of several experienced bowlers. Also everyone knows that Ambrose is nowhere near the best keeper in the land and is also a limited batsman. So why is the best keeper Chris Read, with a superior batting average to Ambrose, not even considered. Yes Geoff, I think it's the supporters that need explanations!
Posted 14:03 23rd July 2008
Gil Gaemsh says...
Perhaps Miller should explain how Pattinson ended up in the 13 in the first place. I reckon he was confused as well
Posted 13:54 23rd July 2008
Richard Lowe says...
Having seen Harmison in the 20/20 last night bowling accurately and at 90mph then he and Jones should be back in the team as quickly as possible. This is not NZ we are playing, these are tough, seasoned test players and we need a strike bowler or 2/3. If we want to shore up the batting (a sad thing to admit) what about the youngster Rashid from Yorks? he bowls, bats and fields. Maybe Key and/or Carberry need to be given a chance, perhaps Bopara in as well. Broad looked tired at Headingly and needs a rest. An attack of Harmison, Jones, Flintoff, Anderson and Rashid could well take 20 SA wickets, now that would be nice!
Posted 13:48 23rd July 2008
Dave Glyn says...
According to Moores, it was Vaughan who wanted Pattinson in the side, so someone seems to be telling porkies. Vaughan needs to sort his batting out he's a real liability at number 3 and is starting to resemble Brearley as a captain who rarely contributes with the bat.The No 3 is a vital position and he clearly is not the right man at the moment and please don't bring back Collingwood, he might be a good bloke and a fighter etc but he hasn't made any runs for a long time and lacks test class. Also a new wkt-keeper must be high on the agenda.
Posted 12:55 23rd July 2008
Simon Rourke says...
England should stop playing competitive test cricket until we have learnt that we are not as good as we all think we are, South Africa gave us a real lesson in how to play test cricket, as did Austalia in the last Ashes series. Time and time again our Top 6 batsmen fail to deliver, this has been the case since the early 90's and will never change unless we make changes to the way cricket is played at grass roots level. Is every school in the country playing competitive cricket for all ages? No, they are not, the money isn't there from the government for schools to have the facilities needed, unlike Australia where cricket in schools is second to Maths and English! Our best batsman is a South African, and our latest 'recruit' to the bowling ranks is an Aussie - that says everything we need to know about the current state of English cricket.
Posted 11:47 23rd July 2008
Billy Guiles says...
All this criticism for Pattinson is ridiculous! He actually bowled really well and troubled most batsmen when we really struggled. Who cares if he is homegrown or not, does that mean we drop KP, clearly not. Play Pattinson if Sidebottom is out and give Freddy the license to swing while batting, he looks out of place when trying to defend outside the off stump.
Posted 11:36 23rd July 2008
Aussie Dave says...
What about the first innings of just over 200? Surely top order batsmen should share a bit of blame...oh hang on.... that would include Vaughan again...quack
Posted 11:33 23rd July 2008
Steve Smith says...
It's great to have selectors like Geoff Miller on your side (South African), not that we need him. Who in their right mind would select a player that has hardly featured in English Cricket to play in England. I would half understand if England were playing in Australia and Pattinson was still playing in Australia but I still would not agree because the game is about the knitting of team and not an individual. The selectors need to take a hard look at themselves because teams that win are not only balanced but have a comradeship between themselves. Another thing they might have to do is be brave and drop the captain for a specialist batsman - you can only carry someone so far.
Posted 11:14 23rd July 2008
Adam Ray says...
Why did he ask this question? I think its a question obvious to all to understand and answer? When he was selected I shrugged, giving him the benefit of the doubt and letting him prove his self, but he didn't exactly meet expectations for a test match bowler. We needed Hoggard or Jones, personally I would love Simon Jones to be given the chance in the test arena again, he is taking regular wickets in 1st class and has a lot of variety, not to mention that devestating reverse swing we saw in 2005. Harmison is looking better recently, and I want him to get back sometime as well as when he is in form, he is perhaps the single most destructive bowler in modern day cricket.
Posted 11:13 23rd July 2008
Sue Chadwick says...
Where was Matthew Hoggard on his home ground and a proven wicket taker? No one had heard of Pattinson and he didn't set the place alight did he? Broad and Anderson are first class bowlers Freddie looked better too. Drop Ambrose he can't keep and can't bat.
Posted 10:48 23rd July 2008
Add Comment*
All fields are required