Vaughan stands down as England captain

Royale with Cheese

Was gonna post this earlier, but boards has been screwy on me all day. The links to post new threads + replies haven't been loading. Anyways...

So Vaughan has stood down. Saw this one coming yesterday. It's definitely the right time to move on. Was surprised at just how emotional he was in the press conference. Guess the job really meant a lot to him. Although I think he's being ambitious by not retiring from test cricket altogether. He hasn't warranted a place in the test team as a batsman in years at this stage, and he'll be 34 by the time the next series starts. I wouldn't be surprised if he never played for England again. Collingwood also stands down (most likely fired) as ODI captain, paving the way for a new captain across both codes.

Strong rumours pointing to Pietersen for both test and ODI captain. What do people think of this? Although he makes rash decisions when he's batting, I don't think that means he'll do the same as a captain. After a defeat in I think the last Ashes series he gave an interview on the pitch citing all of England's faults and why they kept losing. He made a lot of sense and sounded like a natural leader. On top of that, I'd say the selectors are wary of having somebody who's not guaranteed their place in team as captain. They really can't afford to be carrying dead wood. Hence why Collingwood is also out as ODI captain.

Only other options for future captain are Strauss, maybe Cook. Neither of them I think are fantastic choices, and I could see both being pushed out of the team in future years if better youngsters come along, or they suffer a big dip in form.

Flintoff's tried it and showed he wasn't up to the task. Collingwood was on the brink of seeing his test career over until his century yesterday, but is still on trial I'd say. Another 2 cheap dismissals at the Oval will see the pressure mount on him again.

dfx-

Strongly disagree with Pietersen. His dismissal on Thursday off an average spinner to get his personal milestone was poor discipline and his dismissal at Headingley in 5 balls when England needed people to get in and stay in was another example of poor discipline.

Cook or Bell I'd go for. I think Bell would grow into and should be a safe candidate for the next while as England attempt to sort out their batting line-up

Podge2k7

I was expecting that myself tbh!

Royale with Cheese

Pietersen it is. I don't think they had much of a choice. I really couldn't see Bell as captain. And he's most definitely not guaranteed his place in both squads for the future. It was only a few tests ago that he was under big pressure before he made his 199, and he's always scored fairly slowly to be considered a regular fixture in the one day squad.

I'm not saying Pietersen will definitely work out, just that his arrogance as a batsman doesn't necessarily mean he'll make rash decision as a captain.

eoin-dubh

England have a superb record at the Oval when it's the last test in an already lost series.....

eoin-dubh

it's gonna be a good start for Pietersen !!

Damo.Smith

pietersen will do a great job

kensutz

SA all out for 194. Didn't get to see much of it as I'm working a night shift but it's a nice total to bowl SA out for.

NY152

Lts be realistic here though, at the appointment of all the previous captains, the smae thing has been said, "they will grow as a player". Sod that, Vaughn's game fell to pieces after he was made captain, and altho Pietersen made a century in his first game as captain, I fear his game will suffer. I think he was the only logical choice however, his authority and sheer presence on the pitch is enough to sway any selector.

Damo.Smith

It will be v interesting to see how he does under pressure!!

NY152

Definitly, lets see how he does against Australia!!!

Royale with Cheese

Well he's not doing too bad so far. 3 matches, 3 wins. One century and another 90 not out.

AnimalRights

NY152 wrote: »

Lts be realistic here though, at the appointment of all the previous captains, the smae thing has been said, "they will grow as a player". Sod that, Vaughn's game fell to pieces after he was made captain,

Graham Gooch's averages shot through the roof after he was made captain.

Also Vaughn has gotten a central contract which is a joke, his scores since his gone back to CC have been single figures too in the 3 games his played.

Royale with Cheese

Yeah, it's hard to see Vaughan ever getting back to the form he had in Australia all those years ago. I suppose his contract is a reward for his very successful period as captain.

Who else would they have given the contract to though? Vaughan's eventual replacement doesn't look to have been decided yet, so I guess they were keeping their options open as much as anything by giving Vaughan the contract.

AnimalRights

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Who else would they have given the contract to though?

Give youth a chance!