Michael Vaughan–England cricket’s best?
In a land which chest-thumps itself as the creator of a game embraced quite candidly by the second most populated nation in the world, is it safe enough to call Michael Vaughan was the most charming and successful leader ever to have led their cricket team in Test cricket?
The 34-year-old Yorkshire batsman retired on Tuesday bringing down curtains to one of the most illustrious careers in English cricket.
“It was a tough decision,†said the Ashes 2005 winning captaining at Edgbaston. He also proudly stated that his decision to retire was more to do with offering spots for juniors than an old pair of legs.
Vaughan has not played for his country since tearfully resigning the captaincy in August during the home series loss to South Africa. The stylish Englishman’s career has been marked in recent years by a knee injury and speculation about his place in the side was talked wide after failing to secure a berth in England’s squad for the Ashes series against Australia which starts next week in Cardiff.
A skipper who was innovative in setting fields for the opposing batsmen looked lost, emotional and increasingly pragmatic as he spoke on his emotional state in the weeks preceding to the emotional announcement of his retirement…… “I was getting 30 or 40 and suddenly I was getting out – in the past that wasn’t happening. It’s very hard to explain when you know it’s time to move on but it felt right to go before what’s going to be a great Ashes series. I started emotional here today (Tuesday) but it almost feels like I’ve been released.â€
He added: “Two weeks ago in the garden my little lad Archie bowled a ball that hit a weed and knocked my off-stump out. If a three-year old is bowling you out, it’s time to move over.â€
Reflecting on his career, Vaughan said: “The Ashes in 2005 was the pinnacle. We captured the nation and cricket hadn’t captained the nation for a long time.â€
When the ex-skipper was quizzed on his captaincy, this is what he had to say, “I was a good actor. Captaining your country is a very special moment and the skill is making sure no-one knows what you’re thinking.†Mr. Dhoni….are you listening?
Vaughan’s record speaks for itself. During his five-year stint at the helm starting from 2003, he tasted 26 victories, 11 defeats and 14 draws, easily making him the most successful in terms of victories. His form with the bat too had declined, making it impossible for the selectors to draft him to the Ashes squad.
Vaughan’s Test record stands 5,719 Test runs in 82 matches at an average of 41.44 with 18 hundreds and a best of 197 against India at Trent Bridge in 2002.
The question in front of us, how many past captains and players with impeccable talent have called it a day at the right timing, much like their bowling or their batting………
Players who have quit with grace and walked into the sunset with their head held high….that’s for my next blog…..
Also, I am commencing a section named ‘Profile of the week’ with every hardcore cricket aficionado’s favourite player featured in the very first profile. Any guesses?
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