"They are not looking at County cricket"- Michael Vaughan baffled over England's playing XI for first Test against West Indies
Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan was left a bit intrigued by England's playing XI for the first Test against West Indies at Lord's on Wednesday, July 10. He narrowed down on two choices, off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
Vaughan shed light on how Bashir had to go out on loan at Worcestershire because Jack Leach had been the first-choice spinner at Somerset. He also highlighted how Ben Foakes was the first-choice wicket-keeper at Surrey and not Jamie Smith.
Speaking on The Vaughany and Tuffers Podcast, here's what Michael Vaughan said about England giving lack of importance to county cricket performances and preferences:
"They are not looking at County cricket. They are just looking at the players. Bashir is not the first-choice spinner at Somerset, Jack Leach is. Ben Foakes is the first-choice keeper at Surrey and not Jamie Smith. England are picking players that aren't first-choice at their counties. I don't think they are looking at County cricket as a tool to say 'You are an international cricketer.'"
In the three Tests he played against India, Bashir picked up as many as 17 wickets.
Michael Vaughan on importance of a left-arm spinner in Australian conditions
Michael Vaughan was surprised that Shoaib Bashir was picked ahead of Jack Leach in England's XI. He shed light on how the likes of left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj have done well in Australian conditions. With captain Ben Stokes having stressed on Ashes preparations as a motto ahead of the series, Vaughan feels Leach would have been a better choice.
On this, Vaughan stated:
"Bashir over Jack Leach is an intriguing one. I would have gone for Jack Leach. Bashir is a wonderful talent and no doubt that in a two-man spin attack he would be the second spinner. But Jack Leach has earned the right for being England's No.1. In Australia, a left-arm spinner against their right-handers, they haven't got many left-handers. Left-arm spin is quite a good option in Australia."
England's playing XI for the first Test against WI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicket-keeper), Chris Woakes, Shoaib Bashir, Gus Atkinson, James Anderson