Ashes 2019: Michael Vaughan Takes a Dig at James Anderson as He Restarts the Cycle of Excuses

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has shared that the Joe Root-led England cricket is stuck in ‘a circle of excuses’. His comments came after they failed to prevent Australia from retaining the Ashes. England are trailing 1-2 in the ongoing Ashes where the fifth and final Test will be on Thursday at The Oval. One of his primary targets was James Anderson.

Vaughan referred to the comments made by some England players – both past and present which included their highest Test wicket-taker James Anderson, who suggested that the pitches that were offered during the Ashes have suited Australia more than the hosts.

“We always go through a cycle in English cricket when we win or lose. When we lose at home it’s because the pitches have been too flat and have not assisted our bowlers. When we win a series at home it is because we are really good and have played brilliant cricket,” wrote Vaughan.

“When we lose a series away it is because the pitches at home offer too much assistance to bowlers and we cannot produce batsmen who can bat for long periods of time. It is just one big circle of excuses.”

He even gave a fitting reply to James Anderson’s comments. He said if they want to produce cricketers who can play in every situation then they can’t complaining about the pitches.

“When our greatest ever bowler, James Anderson, said this week he was disappointed the pitches have not helped us more in this Ashes series it showed the cycle had started up again,” he added.

Anderson, while giving the examples of India, Australia and Sri Lanka, had complained that it would be great if the pitches at home were more biased towards them.

“When you go to Australia, go to India, go to Sri Lanka – they prepare pitches that suit them. I feel like we could just be a little bit more biased towards our own team,” James Anderson had earlier said.

Although England have failed to register a single win an overseas Test series since beating South Africa 2-1 in 2015-16, they did well at home as Sri Lanka was the last team to beat them in 2014. However, it will be interesting to whether England can end the season with a win or Australia have the last laugh.